Glossary
Attitude in navigation
In navigation, attitude refers to the orientation of a vehicle or object relative to a fixed frame of reference, which is typically defined by three rotational axes: pitch, roll, and yaw.
Go to full definition →AHRS – Attitude and Heading Reference System
Attitude & Heading Reference System (AHRS) is a crucial technology in modern aviation and maritime navigation. It provides essential information about an aircraft or vessel’s orientation and heading, ensuring safe and accurate navigation.
Go to full definition →IMU – Inertial Measurement Unit
Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) are fundamental components in modern navigation and motion tracking systems. An Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) is an electronic device that measures and reports a body's specific force, angular rate, and sometimes the magnetic field surrounding the body, using a combination of accelerometers, gyroscopes, and sometimes magnetometers. IMUs are critical for tracking and controlling the position and orientation of various objects, from aircraft and ships to smartphones and gaming controllers. There are different types of IMU sensors: the one based on FOG (Fiber Optic Gyroscope), the RLG IMUs (Ring Laser Gyroscope), and lastly, IMU based on MEMS technology (Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems). This technology allows lower costs and low power requirements while ensuring performance. MEMS-based systems therefore combine high performance and ultra-low power in a smaller unit.
Go to full definition →INS – Inertial Navigation System
Inertial Navigation System (INS), also called INS, is a navigation device that provides roll, pitch, heading, position, and velocity. This sophisticated technology determines an object’s position, orientation, and velocity without relying on external references. This self-contained navigation solution is crucial in various applications, ranging from aerospace and defense to robotics and autonomous vehicles.
Go to full definition →RTK – Real Time Kinematic
RTK, or Real Time Kinematics, is a sophisticated positioning technology used to achieve high-precision GNSS location data in real-time.
Go to full definition →RTCM – Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services
RTCM (Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services) is an international organization that develops standards to improve communication, navigation, and related systems for maritime safety and efficiency.
Go to full definition →Georeferencing
Georeferencing is the process of aligning spatial data, such as maps, aerial imagery, or scanned documents, to a specific coordinate system so that it accurately corresponds to real-world locations.
Go to full definition →Reference station
A reference station is a fixed, high-precision location equipped with a GNSS receiver and antenna that collects positioning data to improve location data accuracy
Go to full definition →Dead reckoning navigation
Dead reckoning is a navigation technique used to determine one's current position by using a previously known position and calculating the course based on speed, time, and direction traveled.
Go to full definition →ITAR – International Traffic in Arms Regulations
The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) are a set of U.S. government regulations that control the export and import of defense articles and services, including both physical items and technical data related to military use.
Go to full definition →Multisensor fusion
Multisensor fusion is a critical component in the environmental perception systems of driverless vehicles, enhancing safety and decision-making capabilities. By integrating data from various sensors such as cameras, LiDAR, radar, and ultrasonic devices, these systems can achieve a more comprehensive and accurate global positioning accuracy and overall system performance in different scenarios. What are the […]
Go to full definition →Magnetic field
A magnetic field is a physical field that represents the magnetic influence on electric currents, moving charges, and magnetic materials. The Earth behaves like a giant magnet and it generates its own magnetic field that goes from South to North pole. Poles are not exactly aligned with the geographic North-South axis.
Go to full definition →Vibrations
Vibrations can introduce unwanted noise or distortions into the measurements because MEMS sensors are highly sensitive to external forces.
Go to full definition →PPK – Post Processing Kinematic
Post-Processing Kinematic is a GNSS data processing method used to achieve high-accuracy positioning by correcting errors in the raw positioning data. It is widely used in applications where precise geospatial information is critical, such as surveying, mapping, and UAV operations.
Go to full definition →Motion compensation and position
Motion compensation and position refers to the ability of a system, typically involving sensors or devices, to adjust or compensate for movement or motion in order to maintain accurate positional information.
Go to full definition →ROS drivers
The Robot Operating System (ROS) is a set of software libraries and tools that help you build robot applications. From drivers to state-of-the-art algorithms, and with powerful developer tools, ROS has what you need for your next robotics project. And it’s all open source.
Go to full definition →Heading method
Heading refers to the direction in which a vehicle or vessel is pointed relative to a reference direction, typically true north or magnetic north.
Go to full definition →VBS – Virtual Base Station
A Virtual Base Station (VBS) is a GNSS processing technique designed to enhance positioning accuracy in real-time kinematic (RTK) and post-processing applications. Instead of relying on a single, fixed physical base station, a VBS generates a virtual reference station near the rover’s location. This approach reduces positioning errors caused by atmospheric disturbances and improves overall system precision.
Go to full definition →VRS – Virtual Reference Station
A Virtual Reference Station (VRS) is a simulated GNSS reference point designed to enhance real-time positioning accuracy. By leveraging data from a network of continuously operating reference stations (CORS), VRS creates a localized correction signal, reducing spatial errors and improving RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) precision. This allows users to achieve centimeter-level accuracy as if a reference station were positioned at their exact location.
Go to full definition →Fugro Marinestar
Fugro Marinestar ® delivers high-precision GNSS positioning services tailored to the unique demands of industries such as marine construction, dredging, hydrography, naval operations, wind farm development, and oceanographic research. With over 30 years of expertise in satellite-based positioning and continuous technological advancements, Marinestar® provides cutting-edge, dependable solutions designed for critical marine applications. Multiple GNSS constellations […]
Go to full definition →PRN Code (Pseudo-Random Noise Code)
A Pseudo-Random Noise (PRN) code generates a binary sequence that appears random but remains deterministic and repeatable. Satellite navigation systems, such as GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou, along with various communication applications, rely on these codes. PRN codes offer key characteristics that make them essential for navigation and communication. They follow a deterministic pattern since algorithms […]
Go to full definition →PointPerfect ™
What is PointPerfect ™? PointPerfect is a PPP-RTK GNSS correction service provided by u-blox. It combines the high accuracy of RTK with the flexibility of PPP, addressing the limitations of each technology. While RTK offers high accuracy without convergence time, it requires a nearby base station. On the other hand, PPP eliminates the need for […]
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