Analysis of factors affecting performance of integrated INS/SPR positioning during GPS signal blockage

Since the accuracy of Global Positioning System (GPS)-based vehicle positioning system is significantly degraded or does not work appropriately in the urban canyon, the integration techniques of GPS with Inertial Navigation System (INS) have intensively been developed to improve the continuity and reliability of positioning. However, its accuracy is degraded as INS errors are not properly corrected due to the GPS signal blockage. Recently, the image-based positioning techniques have been started to apply for the vehicle positioning for the advanced in processing techniques as well as the increased the number of cars installing the camera. In this study, Single Photo Resection (SPR), which calculates the camera exterior orientation parameters using the Ground Control Points (GCPs,) has been integrated with the INS/GPS for continuous and stable positioning. The INS/GPS/SPR integration was implemented in both of a loosely and a tightly coupled modes, based on the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF). In order to analyze the performance of INS/SPR integration during the GPS outage, the simulation tests were conducted with a consideration of factors affecting SPR performance. The results demonstrate that the accuracy of INS/SPR integration is depended on magnitudes of the GCP errors and SPR processing intervals. Additionally, the simulation results suggest some required conditions to achieve accurate and continuous positioning, used the INS/SPR integration.