Indoor Mapping with Back-pack

GNSS stands for Global Navigation Satellite System and GPS for Global Positioning System. These terms are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different concepts within satellite-based navigation systems.

GNSS is a collective term for all satellite navigation systems, while GPS refers specifically to the U.S. system. It includes multiple systems that provide more comprehensive global coverage, while GPS is just one of those systems.

You get improved accuracy and reliability with GNSS, by integrating data from multiple systems, whereas GPS alone might have limitations depending on satellite availability and environmental conditions.

GNSS represents the broader category of satellite navigation systems, including GPS and other systems, while GPS is a specific GNSS developed by the United States.

The main difference between an Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS) and an Inertial Navigation System (INS) lies in their functionality and the scope of the data they provide.

AHRS provides orientation information—specifically, the attitude (pitch, roll) and heading (yaw) of a vehicle or device. It typically uses a combination of sensors, including gyroscopes, accelerometers, and magnetometers, to calculate and stabilize the orientation. The AHRS outputs the angular position in three axes (pitch, roll, and yaw), allowing a system to understand its orientation in space. It is often used in aviation, UAVs, robotics, and marine systems to provide accurate attitude and heading data, which is critical for vehicle control and stabilization.

A INS not only provides orientation data (like an AHRS) but also tracks a vehicle’s position, velocity, and acceleration over time. It uses inertial sensors to estimate movement in 3D space without relying on external references like GNSS. It combines the sensors found in AHRS (gyroscopes, accelerometers) but may also include more advanced algorithms for position and velocity tracking, often integrating with external data like GNSS for enhanced accuracy.

In summary, AHRS focuses on orientation (attitude and heading), while INS provides a full suite of navigational data, including position, velocity, and orientation.

The difference between an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and an Inertial Navigation System (INS) lies in their functionality and complexity.

An IMU (inertial measuring unit) provides raw data on the vehicle’s linear acceleration and angular velocity, measured by accelerometers and gyroscopes. It supplies information on roll, pitch, yaw, and motion, but does not compute position or navigation data. The IMU is specifically designed to relay essential data about movement and orientation for external processing to determine position or velocity.

On the other hand, an INS (inertial navigation system) combines IMU data with advanced algorithms to calculate a vehicle’s position, velocity, and orientation over time. It incorporates navigation algorithms like Kalman filtering for sensor fusion and integration. An INS supplies real-time navigation data, including position, velocity, and orientation, without relying on external positioning systems like GNSS.

This navigation system is typically utilized in applications that require comprehensive navigation solutions, particularly in GNSS-denied environments, such as military UAVs, ships, and submarines.

Combining SBG Systems’ inertial systems with LiDAR for drone mapping enhances accuracy and reliability in capturing precise geospatial data.

Here’s how the integration works and how it benefits drone-based mapping:

• A remote sensing method that uses laser pulses to measure distances to the Earth’s surface, creating a detailed 3D map of the terrain or structures.
• SBG Systems’ INS combines an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) with GNSS data to provide accurate positioning, orientation (pitch, roll, yaw), and velocity, even in GNSS-denied environments.

SBG’s inertial system is synchronized with the LiDAR data. The INS accurately tracks the drone’s position and orientation, while the LiDAR captures the terrain or object details below.

By knowing the precise orientation of the drone, the LiDAR data can be accurately positioned in 3D space.

The GNSS component provides global positioning, while the IMU offers real-time orientation and movement data. The combination ensures that even when the GNSS signal is weak or unavailable (e.g., near tall buildings or dense forests), the INS can continue to track the drone’s path and position, allowing for consistent LiDAR mapping.

An Indoor Positioning System (IPS) is a specialized technology that accurately identifies the locations of objects or individuals within enclosed spaces, such as buildings, where GNSS signals may be weak or non-existent. IPS employs various techniques to deliver precise positioning information in settings like shopping malls, airports, hospitals, and warehouses.

IPS can leverage several technologies for location determination, including:

• Wi-Fi: Utilizes signal strength and triangulation from multiple access points for position estimation.
• Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE): Employs beacons that send signals to nearby devices for tracking.
• Ultrasound: Uses sound waves for accurate location detection, often with mobile device sensors.
• RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification): Involves tags placed on items for real-time tracking.
• Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs): These sensors monitor motion and orientation, enhancing positional accuracy when combined with other methods.

A detailed digital map of the indoor space is essential for accurate positioning, while mobile devices or specialized equipment collect signals from the positioning infrastructure.

IPS enhances navigation, tracks assets, assists emergency services, analyzes retail behavior, and integrates into smart building systems, significantly improving operational efficiency where traditional GNSS fails.