University of California

Jason T Isaacs

Upamanyu Madhow

Andrew T Irish

Joao P Hespanha

Francois Quitin

Various embodiments each include at least one of systems, methods, devices, and software for GNSS simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM). The disclosed techniques demonstrate that simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) can be performed using only GNSS SNR and geo-location data, collectively termed GNSS data henceforth. A principled Bayesian approach for doing so is disclosed. A 3-D environment map is decomposed into a grid of binary-state cells (occupancy grid) and the receiver locations are approximated by sets of particles. Using a large number of sparsely sampled GNSS SNR measurements and receiver/satellite coordinates (all available from off-the-shelf GNSS receivers), likelihoods of blockage are associated with every receiver-to-satellite beam. Loopy Belief Propagation is used to estimate the probabilities of each cell being occupied or empty, along with the probability of the particles for each receiver location.

Systems and methods for GNSS SNR probabilistic localization and 3-D mapping

A method of determining location of a user device includes receiving global navigation satellite system (GNSS) fix data that represents GNSS calculated position of the user device. The method further includes receiving signal strength data associated with each satellite communicating with the user device, and receiving map information regarding environment surrounding the user device. The received GNSS fix data and signal strength data is provided to a non-linear filter, wherein the non-linear filter fuses the GNSS fix data and signal strength data to generate an updated position estimate of the user device. In addition, the non-linear filter utilizes probabilistic shadow matching estimates that represent a likelihood of received signal strength data as a function of hypothesized user device locations within the environment described by the received map information.

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Santa Barbara, CA, United States of America

Jason T Isaacs