Terrain Matching Navigation Filter Switching Strategy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current navigation filters used in terrain correlation navigation systems, such as Extended Kalman Filters, are not robust and can lead to filter divergence when faced with weak information, resulting in periods of 'silence' during which the carrier's navigation status is unknown, and particulate filters suffer from degenerative effects over long navigation times.

Innovation Solution

A navigation filter comprising a convergence filter of particulate type and a tracking filter, such as an Extended Kalman Filter or Unscented Kalman Filter, is used to estimate the kinematic state of a carrier, with the selection between these filters based on a quality index calculated from the covariance matrix, allowing for robustness and convergence performance without prolonged 'silence' periods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If an Extended Kalman Filter is used for navigation filtering, then the tracking performance is improved, but the filter divergence occurs when faced with weak information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation estimation accuracyVSAvoidfilter robustness
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation filter dynamically switches between Extended Kalman Filter mode and particle filter mode based on the calculated quality index. When the quality index indicates weak terrain information, the system transitions to particle filter mode to avoid divergence, and switches back to EKF mode when quality improves, making the filter adaptive to varying information quality conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A quality index calculation mechanism serves as an intermediary between the terrain sensor measurements and the navigation filter. This intermediary evaluates the quality of terrain information and controls the switching between different filter types, preventing the EKF from processing low-quality data that would cause divergence

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a particle filter is used for navigation filtering, then the convergence performance is improved, but degenerative effects occur over long navigation times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter convergence capabilityVSAvoidnavigation duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system periodically evaluates the quality index and switches between filter types accordingly. Particle filter mode is activated periodically when quality index indicates weak terrain information, while EKF mode is used during periods of strong terrain information, creating a periodic switching pattern that leverages the strengths of each filter type at appropriate intervals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The filter type is dynamically adjusted based on the current quality index rather than using a fixed filter type. This dynamic switching allows the system to use particle filters for convergence when needed and EKF for continuous tracking when terrain information is strong, optimizing performance throughout the navigation duration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If terrain correlation navigation is used, then autonomous navigation is achieved, but filter divergence leads to periods of silence where navigation status is unknown

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomous navigation capabilityVSAvoidnavigation status information
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The quality index calculation provides continuous feedback about the state of terrain information quality. This feedback controls the switching between filter types, ensuring that the system maintains navigation status information by switching to particle filter mode when the quality index indicates potential divergence conditions, thereby preventing loss of navigation status

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2400267B1Navigation filter for navigation system by terrain matching.
Publication Date: 2019.03.27 THALES SA
  • EP2400267B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2400267B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2400267B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The navigation filter (11) has a selectively tilting unit for calculating a kinematic state of a carrier and a covariance matrix, where the navigation filter restores values ??calculated by one of a convergence filter (21) e.g. particle filter or marginalised particle filter, and a tracking filter (22) e.g. extended Kalman filter or Unscented Kalman filter. The navigation filter restores the values based on the comparison of a quality index calculated from the covariance matrix restored by the navigation filter at one instant at a predetermined threshold value.