Abstract: The design of the low cost GPS/IMU positioning and data integrating method, which employs integrated global positioning system/inertial measurement unit enhanced with dual antenna GPS carrier phase measurements to initialize and stabilize the azimuth of the low cost GPS/IMU integrated system, is performed. The utilization of the raw carrier phase measurement for the integration speeds up the ambiguity search.

Abstract: A method of converting a geospatial database into a compressive database for multiple dimensional data storage by constructing computer storage data language or format includes the steps of partitioning the geospatial database into a plurality of data segments; selecting a specific point position in each of the data segments as a reference point position (RPP), and then forming a set of reference point positions for the original geospatial database; providing a coordinate origin point for each of the data segments; converting the geodetic coordinates of the original geospatial database within each of the data segments into corresponding local coordinates, and converting the set of reference point positions and the local geodetic coordinates of each of the data segments into pixel coordinates in form of a pixel coordinate system to form a specific digital map database.

Abstract: An object positioning solves said problems encountered in machine vision, which employs electro-optic (EO) image sensors enhanced with integrated laser ranger, global positioning system/inertial measurement unit, and integrates these data to get reliable and real time object position. An object positioning and data integrating system comprises EO sensors, a MEMS IMU, a GPS receiver, a laser ranger, a preprocessing module, a segmentation module, a detection module, a recognition module, a 3D positioning module, and a tracking module, in which autonomous, reliable and real time object positioning and tracking can be achieved.

Abstract: A method and system for collision avoidance, carried by each aircraft, includes a miniature MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems) IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), a miniature GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, a display, a data link receiver/transmitter, and a central processing system. Each aircraft carries a GPS receiver coupled with a self-contained miniature IMU for uninterrupted position determination. This position information is shared with other aircraft over an RF (Radio Frequency) data link. An intelligent display shows the relative positions of the aircraft in the immediate vicinity of the host aircraft and issues voice and flashing warnings if a collision hazard exists. This system provides situational awareness to the pilot and enhances the safety of flight.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a geospatial database access and query method, and more particularly to a map and Inertial Measurement Unit/Global Positioning System (IMU/GPS) navigation process. With the location information provided by an IMU/GPS integrated system, the geospatial database operations, such as database access and query, are sped up. With the map data from a geospatial database, the navigation performance and accuracy are enhanced. The present invention also supports real time mapping by using IMU/GPS integrated system as the positioning sensor.

Abstract: A filtering process is adapted for eliminating the need of prediscretizing a continuous-time differential model into a discrete-time difference model. It provides a universal robust solution to the most general formulation, in the sense that the system dynamics are described by nonlinear continuous-time differential equations, and the nonlinear measurements are taken at intermittent discrete times randomly spaced. The filtering process includes the procedures of validating the measurement using fuzzy logic, and incorporating factorized forward filtering and backward smoothing to guarantee numerical stability. It provides users a reliable and convenient solution to extracting internal dynamic system state estimates from noisy measurements, with wider applications, better accuracy, better stability, easier design, and easier implementation.

Abstract: A vehicle self-carried positioning system, carried in a vehicle, includes an inertial measurement unit, a north finder, a velocity producer, a navigation processor, a wireless communication device, and a display device and map database. Output signals of the inertial measurement unit, the velocity producer, and the north finder are processed to obtain highly accurate position measurements of a vehicle on land and in water, and the vehicle position information can be exchanged with other users through the wireless communication device, and the location and surrounding information can be displayed on the display device by accessing a map database with the vehicle position information.

Abstract: A coupled real-time GPS/IMU simulation method with differential GPS includes the steps of receiving real-time trajectory data from a 6DOF trajectory generator and generating GPS simulated measurements (rover and reference) and inertial measurement unit simulated electronic signals based on the real GPS models and IMU models, respectively, and injecting those simulated data into an on-board integrated GPS/INS (global positioning system/inertial navigation system). Therefore, the coupled real-time GPS/IMU simulation method with differential GPS can be applied to evaluate the performance of the integrated GPS/INS in the area of high accuracy positioning in addition to the regular evaluation (one receiver mode).

Abstract: The present invention provides a digital signal processing method and system thereof for producing precision platform orientation measurements and local Earth's magnetic measurements by measuring threes axes gravity acceleration digital signals by an acceleration producer, detecting Earth's magnetic field vector measurement by an Earth's magnetic field detector to achieve digital three-axes Earth's magnetic field vector signals, and producing pitch, roll, and heading angles using said three-axes gravity acceleration digital signals and said digital three-axes Earth magnetic field vector signals by a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) chipset.

Abstract: A system for universal guidance and control of automated machines incorporates with an IMU (Initial Measuring Unit) installed at an end effector of a motion element of an automated machine, fast-response feedback control for both position and angle servo-loops (for the end effector) greatly decreases the operational time needed to complete a preplanned trajectory. In addition, the closed-control loop design provides stabilization and isolation of the end effector from external disturbances. This unique navigation solution is based upon the uses of a set of equations performing an open loop computation with the inertial data as its input. This formulation of equations requires a periodic update of the open loop solution in order to bind the growth of system errors. The source of this update is the automated machine position measurement derived from the mechanical sensors in the system.

Abstract: A method of transmitting position data via cellular communication system includes the steps of receiving position data from a position data producer such as a GPS, an INS, or a GPS/INS integrated system, attaching the position data to a location registration data stream, and sending the position data along with the location registration data to a base station. This method takes advantages of the existing location updating procedure in a cellular network system to transmit precision position data of a mobile station. It does not need a dialing up to transmit position data. By utilizing this method, the position data of the mobile station can be delivered to the base station or cellular network whenever the mobile station is powered on.

Abstract: A positioning and navigation method and system thereof can substantially solve the problems encountered in global positioning system-only and inertial navigation system-only, such as loss of global positioning satellite signal, sensibility to jamming and spoofing, and inertial solution's drift over time, in which the velocity and acceleration from an inertial navigation processor and an attitude and heading solution from an AHRS processor are used to aid the code and carrier phase tracking of the global positioning system satellite signals, so as to enhance the performance of the global positioning and inertial integration system, even in heavy jamming and high dynamic environments and when the GPS satellite signals are not available.

Abstract: A processing method for motion measurement, which is adapted to be applied to output signals proportional to rotation and translational motion of the carrier, respectively from angular rate sensors and acceleration sensors, is more suitable for emerging MEMS (MicroElectronicMechanicalSystem) angular rate and acceleration sensors. Compared with a conventional IMU, the present invention utilizes a feedforward open-loop signal processing scheme to obtain highly accurate motion measurements by means of signal digitizing, temperature control and compensation, sensor error and misalignment calibrations, attitude updating, and damping control loops, and dramatically shrinks the size of mechanical and electronic hardware and power consumption, meanwhile, obtains highly accurate motion measurements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and system for three-dimensional (3D) relative positioning and tracking, utilizing a range image and reflectance image producer including a laser dynamic range imager (LDRI), wherein a complete suite of unique 3D relative positioning and tracking algorithms and processing methods, including cross plane correlation, subpixel tracking, focal length determination, Kalman filtering, and orientation determination, is employed to take full advantage of the range information and reflectance information provided by the LDRI to provide relative position and orientation of a target to simultaneously provide the 3-D motion of multiple points of a target without the necessity of using multiple cameras and specific targets and the relative attitude of the target with respect to a carrier of the LDRI.

Abstract: A vehicle self-carried positioning system, carried in a vehicle, includes an inertial measurement unit, a north finder, a velocity producer, a navigation processor, a wireless communication device, and a display device and map database. Output signals of the inertial measurement unit, the velocity producer, and the north finder are processed to obtain highly accurate position measurements of a vehicle on land and in water, and the vehicle position information can be exchanged with other users through the wireless communication device, and the location and surrounding information can be displayed on the display device by accessing a map database with the vehicle position information.

Abstract: A micro inertial measurement unit, which is adapted to apply to output signals proportional to rotation and translational motion of a carrier, respectively from angular rate sensors and acceleration sensors, is employed with MEMS rate and acceleration sensors. Compared with a conventional IMU, the processing method utilizes a feedforward open-loop signal processing scheme to obtain highly accurate motion measurements by means of signal digitizing, temperature control and compensation, sensor error and misalignment calibrations, attitude updating, and damping control loops, and dramatically shrinks the size of mechanical and electronic hardware and power consumption, meanwhile, obtains highly accurate motion measurements.

Abstract: An efficiently hybrid approach to exploit hyperspectral imagery and unmix spectral pixels. This hybrid approach uses a genetic algorithm to solve the abundance vector for the first pixel of a hyperspectral image cube. This abundance vector is used as initial state in a robust filter to derive the abundance estimate for the next pixel. By using Kalman filter, the abundance estimate for a pixel can be obtained in one iteration procedure which is much fast than genetic algorithm. The output of the robust filter is fed to genetic algorithm again to derive accurate abundance estimate for the current pixel. The using of robust filter solution as starting point of the genetic algorithm speeds up the evolution of the genetic algorithm. After obtaining the accurate abundance estimate, the procedure goes to next pixel, and uses the output of genetic algorithm as the previous state estimate to derive abundance estimate for this pixel using robust filter.

Abstract: An interruption free navigator includes an inertial measurement unit, a north finder, a velocity producer, a positioning assistant, a navigation processor, an altitude measurement, an object detection system, a wireless communication device, and a display device and map database. Output signals of the inertial measurement unit, the velocity producer, the positioning assistant, the altitude measurement, the object detection system, and the north finder are processed to obtain highly accurate position measurements of the person. The user's position information can be exchanged with other users through the wireless communication device, and the location and surrounding information can be displayed on the display device by accessing a map database with the person position information.

Abstract: A processing method for motion measurement, which is adapted to apply to output signals proportional to rotation and translational motion of a carrier, respectively from rate sensors and acceleration sensors, is more suitable for emerging MEMS rate and acceleration sensors. Compared with a conventional IMU, the processing method utilizes a feedforward open-loop signal processing scheme to obtain highly accurate motion measurements by means of signal digitizing, temperature control and compensation, sensor error and misalignment calibrations, attitude updating, and damping control loops, and dramatically shrinks the size of mechanical and electronic hardware and power consumption, meanwhile, obtains highly accurate motion measurements.

Abstract: A passive/ranging/tracking processing method provides information from passive sensors and associated tracking control devices and GPS/IMU integrated navigation system, so as to produce three dimensional position and velocity information of a target. The passive/ranging/tracking processing method includes the procedure of producing two or more sets of direction measurements of a target with respect to a carrier, such as sets of elevation and azimuth angles, from two or more synchronized sets of passive sensors and associated tracking control devices, installed on different locations of the carrier, computing the range vector measurement of the target with respect to the carrier using the two or more sets of direction measurements, and filtering the range vector measurement to estimate the three-dimensional position and velocity information of the target.