Low cost GPS/INS sensor fusion system for UAV navigation

The performance of UAV is dependent greatly upon onboard sensors due to its characteristics of unmanned operated vehicle. The navigation sensor, which informs where UAV is flying, also is one of those onboard sensors. Small UAV needs the navigation system with the compact, light, cheap and precise navigation solution. As the inertial sensor for precise air navigation is very expensive, it is not popular in small aircraft and UAV. While GPS services a seamless navigation with cheap receiver, it may not receive the satellite signal by the obstacles or the signal jamming. It is GPS/INS sensor fusion that might overcome these constraints. GPS receiver on air vehicle may happen to lose the signal in a dynamic environment such as aircraft maneuver. The multiple GPS antennas were used to increase the coverage of GPS receiver. The ground test showed that GPS/INS sensor fusion system could provide well the attitude information as well as the trajectory according to a vehicle movement.