Integrity of Visual Navigation—Developments, Challenges, and Prospects

NAVIGATION Journal of the Institute of Navigation, vol. 69, pp. navi.518

Abstract

Summary Camera-based visual navigation has great potential for various applications, especially in satellite-signal-degenerated environments. However, the lack of integrity protection has constrained its utilization in safety-critical applications. Integrity characterizes the quality of the information that a navigation system delivers. Integrity frameworks have been developed over decades for satellite navigation, and continue to play an essential role in safety-critical applications like civil aviation. Nevertheless, there are several challenges to quantify the risks associated with visual navigation. Over the last few years, several approaches to tackle these challenges have been investigated. These developments are the first steps toward a reliable visual positioning framework with integrity monitoring capabilities. In this paper, we review the current status, particular challenges, and development trends in visual positioning integrity monitoring. In addition, we propose a preliminary framework so that the future developments on visual navigation integrity can benefit from a systematic approach.

Authors 3

1. Chen Zhu

   Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR)

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Communications and Navigation, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany

2. Michael Meurer Aachen Chair of Navigation

   RWTH Aachen University · Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR)

   Affiliation as printed

   Chair of Navigation, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

   Institute of Communications and Navigation, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany

3. Christoph G. Günther

   Technical University of Munich · Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR)

   Affiliation as printed

   Chair of Communications and Navigation, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany

   Institute of Communications and Navigation, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany