MBZIRC TUTORIAL: GNSS-denied over-water navigation for UAVs and USV by Nomagic Warsaw MIMotaurs

MBZIRC TUTORIAL: GNSS-denied over-water navigation for UAVs and USV by Nomagic Warsaw MIMotaurs

This tutorial dives into Nomagic Warsaw MIMotaurs’ solution for a drone and USV competition that demanded over-water navigation without visual cues. In this entirely radio-based system (operating within the 2.4GHz band), radio beacons strategically placed onshore work in conjunction with direction finding and ranging techniques. Data is then aggregated, processed by a centralized position solver, and distributed back to the vehicles’ autopilots. Participants will gain the knowledge and practical skills to build their own simulated GNSS-denied navigation system. Through real-world scenarios and exercises, you’ll explore: design and deployment considerations for radio beacons, techniques for radio-based direction finding and ranging, data aggregation and fusion methods for robust positioning, centralized position solving algorithms for real-time navigation and integration with autopilots to guide UAVs and USVs. Witness the power of radio navigation firsthand! We’ll unveil a live demonstration of a full-size beacon used during the competition, showcasing its design and functionality in reliably guiding autonomous vehicles at kilometers range over maritime environments.