Underwater Terrain-Aided Navigation Based on Multibeam Bathymetric Sonar Images

Underwater terrain-aided navigation is used to complement the traditional inertial navigation employed by autonomous underwater vehicles during lengthy missions. It can provide fixed estimations by matching real-time depth data with a digital terrain map, This study presents the concept of using image processing techniques in the underwater terrain matching process. A traditional gray-scale histogram of an image is enriched by incorporation with spatial information in pixels. Edge comer pixels are then defined and used to construct an edge comer histogram, which employs as a template to scan the digital terrain map and estimate the fixes of the vehicle by searching the correlation peak. Simulations are performed to investigate the robustness of the proposed method, particularly in relation to its sensitivity to background noise, the scale of real-time images, and the travel direction of the vehicle. At an image resolution of 1 m2/pixel, the accuracy of localization is more than 10 meters.

Improving path planning efficiency for underwater gravity-aided navigation based on a new depth sorting fast search algorithm

This study focuses on the improvement of path planning efficiency for underwater gravity-aided navigation.Firstly,a Depth Sorting Fast Search(DSFS)algorithm was proposed to improve the planning speed of the Quick Rapidly-exploring Random Trees*(Q-RRT*)algorithm.A cost inequality relationship between an ancestor and its descendants was derived,and the ancestors were filtered accordingly.Secondly,the underwater gravity-aided navigation path planning system was designed based on the DSFS algorithm,taking into account the fitness,safety,and asymptotic optimality of the routes,according to the gravity suitability distribution of the navigation space.Finally,experimental comparisons of the computing performance of the ChooseParent procedure,the Rewire procedure,and the combination of the two procedures for Q-RRT*and DSFS were conducted under the same planning environment and parameter conditions,respectively.The results showed that the computational efficiency of the DSFS algorithm was improved by about 1.2 times compared with the Q-RRT*algorithm while ensuring correct computational results.

Bioinspired Underwater Navigation Using Polarization Patterns Within Snell’s Window

Aiming at the requirement of autonomous navigation capability of the underwater unmanned vehicle(UUV),a novel bionic method for underwater navigation based on polarization pattern within Snell’s window is proposed.Inspired by creatures,polarization navigation is a satellite-free navigation scheme and has great potential to be used in the water.However,because of the complex underwater environment,whether UUV polarization navigation can be realized is doubtful.To illustrate the feasibility of underwater polarization navigation,we firstly establish the model of under-water polarization patterns to prove the stability and predictability of the underwater polarization pattern within Snell’s window.Then,we carry out static and dynamic experiments of underwater heading determination based on developed polarization information detection equipment.Finally,we obtain underwater polarization patterns and conduct the tracking experiment at different water depths.The experimental results of the underwater polarization patterns are consistent with the simulation,which proves the correctness of the proposed model.At the water depth of 5 m,the average angle and position error of the tracking experiment are 14.3508°and 4.0812 m,respectively.It is illustrated that underwater polarization navigation is realizable and the precision can meet the real-time navigation requirements of UUV.This study promotes the improvement of underwater navigation ability and the development of marine equipment.

Bio-inspired geomagnetic navigation method for autonomous underwater vehicle

This paper presents a bio-inspired geomagnetic navigation method for autonomous underwater vehicle(AUV) without using any a priori geomagnetic information. Firstly, the multi-objective search problem is raised. Secondly, the geomagnetic navigation model is established by constructing a cost function. Then, by taking into consideration the biological magneto-taxis movement behavior for the geomagnetic environment stimulus, the multiobjective evolutionary search algorithm is derived to describe the search process. Finally, compared to the state-of-the-art, the proposed method presents better robustness. The simulation results demonstrate the reliability and feasibility of the proposed method.

Cooperative Navigation for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles Based on Estimation of Motion Radius Vectors

A cooperative navigation algorithm for a group of autonomous underwater vehicles is proposed on the basis of motion radius vector estimation.Combined the dead reckoning data with the mutual range data through an acoustic communication network among the group members, the relative positioning problem can be solved. A novel approach for solving the relative positioning is presented by using a recursive trigonometry technique and extended Kalman filter(EKF). Simulation results verify the correctness and effectiveness of this navigation method.

Kalman filter applied in underwater integrated navigation system

For the underwater integrated navigation system, information fusion is an important technology. This paper introduces the Kalman filter as the most useful information fusion technology, and then gives a summary of the Kalman filter applied in underwater integrated navigation system at present, and points out the further research directions in this field.

Simulation platform of navigation system for autonomous underwater vehicle

In view of the characteristics of underwater navigation, the simulation platform of navigation system for autonomous underwater vehicle has been developed based on Windows platform. The system architecture, net communication and the information flow are discussed. The methods of software realization and some key techniques of the Vehicle Computer and the Navigation Equipment Computer are introduced in particular. The software design of Terrain Matching Computer is introduced also. The simulation platform is verified and analyzed through simulation. The results show that the architecture of the platform is reasonable and reliable, and the mathematic models and simulation algorithms of sub-systems are also valid and practicable.

Application of unscented Kalman filter to novel terrain passive integrated navigation system

To improve the navigation accuracy of an autonomous underwater vehicle （AUV）, a novel terrain passive integrated navigation system （TPINS） is presented. According to the characteristics of the underwater environment and AUV navigation requirements of low cost and high accuracy, a novel TPINS is designed with a configuration of the strapdown inertial navigation system （SINS）, the terrain reference navigation system （TRNS）, the Doppler velocity sonar （DVS）, the magnetic compass and the navigation computer utilizing the unscented Kalman filter （UKF） to fuse the navigation information from various navigation sensors. Linear filter equations for the extended Kalman filter （EKF）, nonlinear filter equations for the UKF and measurement equations of navigation sensors are addressed. It is indicated from the comparable simulation experiments of the EKF and the UKF that AUV navigation precision is improved substantially with the proposed sensors and the UKF when compared to the EKF. The TPINS designed with the proposed sensors and the UKF is effective in reducing AUV navigation position errors and improving the stability and precision of the AUV underwater integrated navigation.

Progresses and Prospects of Marine Geodetic Datum and Marine Navigation in China

Territorial water is a significant part of national sovereignty of China,thus the infrastructures of national space datum and location services should cover the sea areas except for the land areas.China has established relatively complete geodetic coordinate frame in land areas over the past decades,including the lastest developed China Geodetic Coordinate System 2000(CGCS 2000)with its reference frame and the national gravity datum 2000.However,the currently used geodetic infrastructures have not well covered the sea areas of China.The marine geodetic datum and marine navigation technologies need to be further developed and extended to satisfy the national demands of marine environment and resources detection,scientific investigation as well as marine economy development in new era of China.This paper mainly reviews the development and the progress of Chinese marine geodetic datum and marine navigation,analyses related key technologies in establishing our national marine geodetic datum.Some current trends and future directions for independently developing our national marine geodetic datum and marine navigation technologies are discussed.

Multi-Scale Fusion Algorithm for AUVs Integrated Navigation Systems

To deal with the low location accuracy issue of existing underwater navigation technologies in autonomous underwater vehicles(AUVs),a distributed fusion algorithm which combines the model's analysis method with a multi-scale transformation method is proposed for integrated navigation system based on AUV.First,integrated navigation system theory and system error sources are introduced in details.Secondly,a navigation system's observation equation on the original scale is decomposed into different scales by the discrete wavelet transform method,and noise reduction is performed by setting the wavelet de-noising threshold.At last,the dynamic equation and observation equations are fused on different scales by the wavelet transformation and Kalman filter.The results show that the proposed algorithm has smaller navigation error and higher navigation accuracy.

水下无人航行器高速航行下的运动特性及仿真控制研究

水下无人航行器具有水下活动范围大、机动性好优点,主要用于大范围地形地貌勘探,水下高速长航程航行时,水下航行器运动特性和姿态控制是研究重点。本文建立水下航行器垂直面航行运动模型,分析高速航行下的运动特性。为保证高速航行高效稳定,提出PID方法控制纵倾和滑模方法控制深度的组合控制策略。通过仿真试验,开展高速航行运动仿真研究。研究结果表明,在高速航行下,水下航行器会产生一定纵倾,且随着航速增加,纵倾影响会越大,高速状态放大了水下航行器外形上下轻微不对称的特性,诱导产生的垂向水动力及力矩增大,进而引起纵倾;在高速航行条件下,水下航行器能稳定保持定深度长距离航行,控制策略具有很好的适用性。

一种基于深度学习辅助的SINS/DVL组合导航方法

水下机器人(autonomous underwater vehicle,AUV)导航定位精度一定上程度影响了AUV的工作效率,由于GNSS无法在水下使用,以捷联惯导系统/多普勒计程仪(SINS/DVL)的组合导航系统受到众多青睐。DVL在部分情况下会失效,若直接将DVL隔离,系统将变为纯惯性导航系统,严重影响导航定位的精度。为了应对DVL在部分波束缺失的情况,提出了一种DLinear-informer辅助组合导航算法。通过DLinear对原始输入数据特有的分解方式,增强了算法对AUV非线性信息的提取与学习,提高了速度预测精度。实验结果表明:所提算法能够准确预测DVL失效期间丢失波束的速度,降低组合导航的位置误差,提高了系统的鲁棒性和定位精度。

自主水下机器人布放回收技术综述

对水下机器人布放回收这一领域的研究进行了综述并对未来研究进行了展望。首先分析了水下机器人布放回收的不同方式,主要可分为水面有人舰船、水面无人船、潜艇以及大型水下机器人布放回收方式。接着举出不同回收方式的国内外例证并对其优缺点进行总结。随后探讨和分析了实现布放回收所需的关键技术,包括自主对接技术、定位引导技术、锁紧定位技术及对接回收策略,并对技术现状及装备进行举例分析。最后对水下机器人布放回收的研究方向和重点进行了展望。综述表明,水下机器人布放回收的结构和所需关键技术还需持续研究,特别需要关注的是随着布放回收技术研究的不断深入,未来水下机器人布放回收系统将向自主化、无人化、通用化发展。

水下地形匹配导航研究综述

地形辅助导航系统以地形高程特征为定位信息源,可为水下航行器提供有界的定位误差,并能显著地抑制捷联惯性导航系统的误差漂移。而地形匹配算法是地形辅助导航系统的关键技术,其输出的匹配位置可作为组合导航滤波器的观测值以修正导航参数,地形匹配精度直接决定了整个导航系统性能。首先概述了现有水下导航定位技术,然后阐述了地形辅助导航基本原理与组成,最后详细总结了中外地形辅助导航系统和地形匹配算法的研究进展,为中国地形辅助导航系统的开发和研制提供有益参考和支撑。

基于Snell窗及偏振模式的水下载体航姿测量

提出了一种在水下通过Snell窗获得偏振分布模式与天顶点坐标,进而得到水下载体的航姿信息(即航向角、横滚角与俯仰角)的方法。在载体上安装鱼眼镜头与偏振相机,在水下拍摄天空,得到偏振角分布模式。建立小孔成像模型得到相机的内外参数矩阵以及镜头畸变系数,对偏振角分布模式进行畸变校正,进而得到太阳子午线特征区域,使用Canny算子检测得到特征区域边缘,由霍夫直线检测算法计算出太阳子午线与水下载体体轴夹角,得到航向角。通过实验得到不同光入射角与偏振角误差的函数关系,进行误差补偿,减小由于鱼眼镜头改变入射光偏振态带来的偏振角测量误差,进而提高太阳子午线与水下载体体轴夹角的测量精度。利用灰度阈值检测算法筛选出图像中的天顶点坐标,进而计算载体的横滚角与俯仰角,经过实验验证了算法的准确性。搭建了模拟水下环境的实验平台,实验结果表明:该方法得到的航向角平均绝对误差为0.5303°。在[-50°,50°]角度范围内,横滚角与俯仰角平均绝对误差为0.7544°与0.6213°,满足水下导航的精度需求。

非高斯噪声背景的水下INS-LBL组合导航方法

自主水下航行器(AUV)是水下自主协同作业的重要装备,在水下获取持续可靠的高精度定位导航信息是AUV实施任务的重要前提。针对实际环境中系统噪声不再满足高斯分布、难以获得准确模型,进一步造成传统组合导航系统无法精准定位的问题,设计了一种基于最大熵卡尔曼滤波的水下INS-LBL组合导航方法。以INS与LBL之间的水声伪距为系统量测量,建立组合导航系统模型,削弱水下声通信产生的时延误差;采用最大熵卡尔曼滤波算法实现数据融合,提高复杂噪声干扰下的系统定位精度及鲁棒性。仿真结果表明,在非高斯噪声背景下,基于最大熵卡尔曼滤波的水下INS-LBL组合导航方法能够有效抑制干扰,提高系统定位精度。

水下声学导航网络节点区域最优布局方法

为实现水下声学导航网络节点满足区域定位精度需求,同时满足节点布局数量及费效比最优,提出了一种水下声学导航网络节点最优布局方法。根据节点布局间距和定位误差关系,选定满足定位精度需求的最大节点布局间距,采用2D网格生成算法控制节点间距在最大间距,以实现导航网络节点的自动化最优布局。考虑海底地形遮挡声源情况,利用地形开角与临界开角和小开角临界值的对比,快速确定区域布局风险区并在2D网格生成算法中设置不可布局区域,进一步优化实际海底地形导航网络节点布局。通过某实际海域导航网络区域布局的仿真实验验证,所提方法可实现100 m定位误差的预期设计需求,并满足布局节点数量最优。

无人作战平台导航装备分析及趋势

面向国内外目前大力发展水下无人潜航器、水面无人艇的背景,通过分析国外无人潜航器、水面无人艇的使命任务、技术状态和分级标准,提出国内无人潜航器、水面无人艇的分级设想和导航能力需求。结合典型无人平台导航装备配置情况进一步分析,构建国内无人作战平台导航装备配置谱系,为我国海军无人作战平台导航装备发展形成谱系化、阶梯化导航能力具有启示意义。

基于抗差自适应CKF的水下重力匹配导航SITAN算法

为提高水下重力匹配算法的定位精度和稳健性,将容积卡尔曼滤波应用到水下重力匹配惯性导航中,同时引入抗差估计和自适应因子,提出了基于抗差自适应容积卡尔曼滤波的水下重力匹配导航SITAN算法。利用重力异常模型数据开展仿真实验,结果表明,所提算法能有效修正惯导整体航迹,在观测值未加入粗差的情况下较普通容积卡尔曼滤波算法提高了76%的导航定位精度,在观测值加入30 mGal粗差的情况下,提高了88%的导航定位精度。该研究成果可为后续水下重力匹配导航算法的理论研究及工程实践提供一定的数据支撑。

航行背压对超高速水下航体动力系统空化特性影响规律分析

为揭示水深变化带来的航行背压差异对水下航体动力系统空化特性的影响规律,建立了航体-喷水推进泵组成的全流域数值平台,并以核心的旋转叶轮区域为对象进行了数值方法校核,结合旋转坐标系下的相对涡量输运理论对不同巡航深度下的动力系统空化实施了分析研究。结果表明:随着航行背压的增加,相较于航行背压0.4pr,b,航体动力系统扬程、效率、耗功、推力在0.4pr,b~2.0p_(r,b)内分别下降5.6%,1.7%,4.5%,6.9%(pr,b为额定航行背压);基于涡量输运理论揭示叶轮流道内的空化特性与涡量分布呈强相关性,辐射项在动力系统全流场涡量变化中均有体现,拉伸项对叶片前缘空化的产生起主导作用,随后斜压项可有效捕捉空化边界,而扭转项可有效捕捉空化尾迹;动力系统内的瞬时压力脉动、叶轮轴向力和径向力与航行背压呈负相关,不同时刻下拉伸项和斜压项基本不发生变化,而辐射项和扭转项展现涡团在叶片区的聚集与脱落趋势。