Relative Localization for UAV-UGV Based on Correlation of Bearing and Distance

Abstract

To ensure reliable localization for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles(UAVs) in the presence of uncertain speed of the Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV), this study examines the relative localization problem of UAV-UGV using distance and bearing measurements. A Correlation of Bearing and Distance-based Relative Localization (CBDRL) algorithm is proposed in this paper under this scenario. The estimation of altitude, distance, and angle are simplified into a representation of the relative positioning between the UAV and UGV. The relative height difference is measured using the barometer in the algorithm. To determine the relative distance, Time of Arrival (TOA) ranging and Ultra Wide Band (UWB) communication are utilized. The relative direction measurement is then determined using the correlations of bearing and distance. We integrate these observations with height, direction, and distance data in an Extended Kalman Filter(EKF) to provide accurate and reliable relative position estimates that allow the UAV to track the target. The simulation results indicate that the CBDRL method developed in this study is superior to previous relative localization algorithms that rely on multi-sensor fusion, and can significantly enhance the accuracy of UAV positioning provided that range and angle measurements are precise enough.