New GPS-Aided SINU System Modeling using an Autoregressive Model

Stochastic error in the Micro-Electro-Mechanical-System (MEMS) Strapdown Inertial Navigation Unit (SINU) is the primary issue causing sensors to be unable to operate as a standalone device. Conventional implementation of MEMS SINU fuses measurement with a global positioning system (GPS) through a Kalman filter in order to achieve long-term accuracy. Such integration is known as a GPS-aided SINU system, and its estimation accuracy relies on how precise the stochastic error prediction is in Kalman filtering operation. In this paper, a comprehensive study on stochastic error modeling and analysis through a Gauss-Markov (GM) model and autoregressive (AR) model are presented. A wavelet denoising technique is introduced prior to error modeling to remove the MEMS SINU's high frequency noise. Without a wavelet denoising technique, neither the GM model nor AR model can be utilized to represent the stochastic error of SINU. Next, details of the Kalman filter implementation to accommodate the AR model are presented. The modeling outcomes are implemented on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for on-board motion sensing. The experimental results show that AR model implementation, compared to a conventional GM model, significantly reduced the estimated errors while preserving the position, velocity and orientation measurements.