The accuracy of determining the coordinates of an unmanned aerial vehicle with a navigation complex integrating an electro-optical positioning system

The article proposes the approaches to updating a strapdown inertial navigation system (SINS) based on data of the airborne electro-optical system (EOS) of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). It is specified that the EOS is presented as a navigation data sensor. The rationale for the feasibility of such an approach is formed, especially in the terms of signal lack or suppression of satellite radio-navigation systems. It is proposed to ensure the accuracy of self-contained navigation by assigning an UAV route, including waypoints with terrestrial references (TRs). Notably, TR-associated image information is preliminarily downloaded into the flight management computer (FMC). The automated TR identification system with denoted coordinates at next waypoints, using airborne data, in fact, allows for alternative global positioning. The reliable operation of such an integrated navigation system over sufficiently extended legs of flight path, first, depends on the accuracy of its constituent elements. Taking into consideration the fact that conventional sensors of navigation information, such as a SINS and an altimeter, are quite well studied in numerous contributions. The article focuses on the UAV airborne electro-optical system and, specifically, on its application features as a navigation sensor. The factors influencing the accuracy of the UAV positioning data determination at waypoints according to the data of the airborne EOS are considered. The developed mathematical model of errors for the UAV inertial optical navigation complex (IONC) is presented. The analysis of the impact of airborne altimeter inaccuracies, earth’s surface features and the shift of the onboard digital camera optical axis, caused by random evolutions of the carrier body in turbulent atmosphere on the positioning accuracy, was conducted. The results of calculating lapses in determining the UAV positioning data, equipped with IONC, are given.

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