Advances in GNSS/INS Integrated Navigation and Precise Positioning

Dear Colleagues,

The complementary characteristics of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSSs) and Inertial Navigation Systems (INSs) render them exceptionally suitable for integration. While INSs excel in short-term accuracy, GNSSs offer a navigation solution characterized by long-term stability, forming a symbiotic relationship that is crucial for precise positioning and navigation tasks.

Over the past decade, researchers have explored various methodologies for integrating INSs and GNSSs, investigating their efficacy across diverse environments. These environments range from challenging urban canyons and indoor settings to maritime expanses, airborne operations, and even extraterrestrial exploration such as lunar missions. Despite the initial focus on GNSS-unfriendly environments, the versatility of INS/GNSS integration extends beyond these contexts, presenting opportunities for innovation and application in unforeseen areas.

Advancements in integration techniques have paralleled technological progress, with loosely coupled and tightly coupled approaches emerging as standard methodologies. Loosely coupled integration involves blending the positional and velocity estimates from the GNSS receiver with the INS navigation solution. Conversely, in tightly coupled integration, GNSS raw measurements, including pseudorange and Doppler observables, undergo processing alongside INS measurements through a filtering mechanism. Moreover, the concept of ultra-tight integration has gained prominence, leveraging sophisticated baseband signal processing within GNSS receivers; this is exemplified by digital tracking loops.

This Special Issue of Remote Sensing seeks to compile cutting-edge research showcasing the utilization of INS/GNSS integration across emerging applications. We welcome submissions that not only explore novel applications but also elucidate recent advancements in integration methodologies. Authors are encouraged to contribute original research and review articles to enrich this discourse at the forefront of navigation technology.

Dr. Heidar Malki
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• global navigation systems
• integrated navigation systems
• inertial navigation systems, and positioning sensors