Combining celestial navigation with vision-based technology, UniSA's remote sensing engineers have created a lightweight, cost-effective system capable of guiding drones at night in environments where GPS is unavailable or compromised. Their findings are detailed in a new paper published in *Drones*.
Dr. Samuel Teague, a UniSA researcher, emphasized the simplicity and practicality of the system for smaller drones, stating, "Unlike traditional star-based navigation systems, which are often complex, heavy and costly, our system is simpler, lighter and does not need stabilisation hardware, making it suitable for smaller drones."
Dr. Teague highlighted that the technology is particularly advantageous in oceanic and warfare zones prone to GPS jamming. Beyond defense, it offers potential applications in environmental monitoring and remote sensing.
The system operates through an innovative algorithm that processes visual data from stars and integrates it with standard autopilot systems. A fixed-wing drone test demonstrated precise positioning within four kilometers, showcasing the system's effectiveness despite its minimal cost and complexity.
Key advantages of the technology include:
- Non-emissive operation: The system uses passive celestial cues, emitting no signals and minimizing detection risks.
- Low cost and lightweight: Built using commercially available components, it is more affordable and lighter than traditional alternatives.
- GPS jamming resistance: Its independence from GNSS signals ensures robust navigation in GPS-denied environments.
Senior researcher Professor Javaan Chahl, DST Joint Chair of Sensor Systems in UniSA's STEM unit, underscored its transformative potential. "GNSS denial is an increasing challenge, and our research addresses this gap. We have developed a navigation method that's resilient, independent of external signals, and achievable with low-cost, easily accessible components. This makes it applicable to a variety of UAVs, from commercial drones to more advanced defence applications," said Prof. Chahl.
UniSA's development of this system is part of its broader research program into advanced drone technologies for defense and civilian use. Supported by the Commonwealth Scholarships Program and the Australian Government Research Training Program, the project underscores UniSA's commitment to advancing autonomous systems innovation.
Video: Using stars to navigate drones
Research Report:An Algorithm for Affordable Vision-Based GNSS-Denied Strapdown Celestial Navigation
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