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Generic simulation & post-processing navigation software - NavLab
For a variety of applications
The NavLab (Navigation Laboratory) is flexible and generic aided inertial navigation
software application running during post-processing. NavLab consists of a Simulator
and an Estimator. NavLab was developed to create a common tool for a variety of
navigation tasks. The main emphasis during the development has been a solid theoretical
foundation with a stringent mathematical representation to ensure that statistical
optimality is maintained throughout the entire system.
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The illustration gives an overview of NavLab structure.
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NavLab simulator
The Simulator can simulate any vehicle trajectory in the vicinity of Earth, with
a chosen set of sensor measurements.
NavLab estimator
The Estimator calculates optimal estimates of a vehicle’s position, orientation
and velocity, based on available sensors, such as GPS/acoustic positioning, Doppler
velocity log and inertial measurement unit (IMU). It can process data from the Simulator
or from a real vehicle.
Optimal smoothing
The Kalman filter is the optimal real-time estimator, but for post-processing
the best algorithm is Optimal Smoothing, also benefiting from future measurements.
The smoothed estimate of position, attitude and velocity, has several important
advantages compared to the real-time solution, such as:
- The navigation results are more accurate. An example in case of a 2 hours
position measurement drop-out, is shown in figure 1. Even in cases where position
measurements are continuously available, the position accuracy improves significantly.
- No measurements are unexpected, and thus there are no jumps in the data
(hence the name smoothing). An example is shown in figure 2.
- Even in cases of sensor degradation or failure, accurate navigation can
often be obtained (no need for a new mission). This is due to the increased
robustness of the smoothing.
- The navigation results have maximum reliability (critical sensor errors
are detected).
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Figure 1
Position estimation uncertainty with a 2 hours position measurement
dropout (Green: real-time, Red: Optimal smoothing).
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Figure 2
HUGIN 1000 position estimates: Blue: acoustic position measurement with
outlier and drop-outs, Green: real-time, Red: Optimal smoothing.
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When using NavLab with smoothing, lower quality navigation sensors may be used,
while still obtaining satisfactory navigational accuracy.
Can NavLab be used for your application?
NavLab is readily integrated with the KONGSBERG HUGIN AUV and Hydroacoustic Aided
Inertial Navigation (HAIN) products, but can due to its modularity easily be adapted
to any application as long as raw sensor data are stored. NavLab has accurately
positioned AUVs, ROVs, ships and aircrafts.
NavLab is always more accurate than a real time navigation system with
comparable sensors. Optimal smoothing is the key technology providing maximum
accuracy, robustness and integrity.
In some applications only real-time navigation results are of interest, however,
NavLab is still useful for:
- Verification of position quality. As an example, the HUGIN AUV or
the HAIN navigation data can periodically be verified by NavLab.
- Tuning of real-time navigation system, and calibration of the sensors.
Optimal tuning and correct calibration is determined by NavLab.
- Mission planning. Vehicle operation and use of navigation sensors
to get desired navigation accuracy can be investigated and planned in NavLab
simulations.
- Consideration of acquiring more sensors. The effect of sensor accuracies
on resulting navigation performance can be simulated in NavLab.
For advanced scientific users, NavLab has been extensively used for navigation
system research and development (for which it was originally developed).
NavLab program modules
NavLab is delivered in 3 different packages with different program modules:
- NavLab post-processing tool: Preproc, Estimator and Export
- NavLab post-processing tool with Simulator: Preproc, Simulator, Estimator
and Export
- NavLab simulation tool: Simulator, Estimator and Export
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Illustration indicating NavLab program modules
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Preproc does the necessary pre-processing of recorded data, including automatic
outlier removal. In underwater navigation, vertical position is deduced from pressure
measurements. NavLab converts pressure measurements to depth using the internationally
standardized UNESCO formula. In shallow waters the pressure field is dynamic due
to irregular ocean waves. This can cause a dynamic depth sensor error which is observed
and filtered by the NavLab Estimator. Export exports the result on a desired format.
Flexible user interface
NavLab comes with a simple user interface with minimal operator interaction for
robust and automated navigation data post-processing. In addition, it is also possible
for advanced users to control a large amount of parameters and options, to make
NavLab solve exactly their specific problems.
Software compatibility
NavLab can run under Matlab on any platform or as a stand alone Windows program.
Theoretical basis/technology
NavLab is developed as a general research tool by the Navigation group at the
Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI), where the main focus has been a
solid theoretical foundation to maintain statistical optimality throughout the system.
The performance has been extensively tested through simulations and real data
trials. The result is a tool that is very reliable, robust and has a high performance
every time it is run. Kongsberg Maritime has the selling rights of NavLab into the
commercial maritime market, and has adapted NavLab to various vehicles and applications.
NavLab is a supplement to the HUGIN AUV navigation and HAIN systems.
More information