Gnss-denied unmanned aerial vehicle navigation: analyzing computational complexity, sensor fusion, and localization methodologies

Abstract Navigation without Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) poses a significant challenge in aerospace engineering, particularly in the environments where satellite signals are obstructed or unavailable. This paper offers an in-depth review of various methods, sensors, and algorithms for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) localization in outdoor environments where GNSS signals are unavailable or denied. A key contribution of this study is the establishment of a critical classification system that divides GNSS-denied navigation techniques into two primary categories: absolute and relative localization. This classification enhances the understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of different strategies in various operational contexts. Vision-based localization is identified as the most effective approach in GNSS-denied environments. Nonetheless, it’s clear that no single-sensor-based localization algorithm can fulfill all the needs of a comprehensive navigation system in outdoor environments. Therefore, it’s vital to implement a hybrid strategy that merges various algorithms and sensors for effective outcomes. This detailed analysis emphasizes the challenges and possible solutions for achieving reliable and effective outdoor UAV localization in environments where GNSS is unreliable or unavailable. This multi-faceted analysis, highlights the complexities and potential pathways for achieving efficient and dependable outdoor UAV localization in GNSS-denied environments.