Global Positioning System Reference
In-Depth Information
giving more and more devices the ability to detect motion in an increasing range
of consumer devices, including the Nintendo Wii and the Apple iPhone.
Miniature solid-state gyroscopes are also available (used by some model
aircraft autopilot systems) that together with the MEMS accelerometers give the
possibility of high-quality inertial navigation at very low costs and sizes.
2.5.8
Sensor Fusion
Sensor fusion is a very important technique used to combine the information from
different sensors. No sensing system is the perfect solution for all positioning
requirements. If, however, a number of information streams from different sensing
systems are “fused,” then a greatly enhanced positioning capability can be gained.
Integrating mapped information is also an important part of fusion.
In a typical system, where several sensors are providing physical
measurements and a digital map is being used for map matching, there will be
statistical algorithms taking the raw measurements and improving them.
2.5.9
A Summary of Positioning Methods
Figure 2.1
Summary and time line for positioning technology.
