Ijraset Journal For Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology
Authors: Anil Jangral, Prof. R M Bodade, Koushik G, J Karan Singh Ghuman
DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.22214/ijraset.2024.62945
Certificate: View Certificate
Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), while pivotal for various applications including disaster management, exhibit vulnerabilities in challenging environments [1], [2]. These vulnerabilities can lead to signal degradation or complete loss of positioning information, especially during disasters. This paper presents a comprehensive review of multi-GNSS technologies as a robust solution for navigation resilience in GPS-denied areas during disaster scenarios. Multi-GNSS leverages signals from multiple satellite constellations, enhancing availability, accuracy, and reliability [3], [4]. This review explores advanced signal processing techniques like multi-constellation and multifrequency processing, along with adaptive algorithms to mitigate challenges such as signal blockage, attenuation, and multipath interference [5], [6]. The integration of multi-GNSS with other navigation technologies, like inertial measurement units (IMUs) and visual odometry, is discussed for further enhancing resilience [15]. Specific use cases of multi-GNSS in disaster management, including search and rescue operations, situational awareness, and infrastructure assessment, are also examined. This review concludes by highlighting research gaps and future directions in this critical field, emphasizing the potential of multi-GNSS to revolutionize navigation in disaster-stricken areas.
I. INTRODUCTION
Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), with the Global Positioning System (GPS) as the most prominent example, have become integral to various sectors, including transportation, agriculture, surveying, and disaster management [1]. However, the reliance on a single GNSS constellation poses risks, particularly in disaster scenarios where signals can be disrupted due to ionospheric disturbances, multipath effects, or intentional jamming [2]. Multi-GNSS systems, which leverage signals from multiple constellations like GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou, offer a promising solution to mitigate these vulnerabilities.
Multi-GNSS technology leverages signals from multiple satellite constellations, offering several advantages over singleconstellation systems [3], [4]. These include:
This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the current state of multi-GNSS technology and its potential to revolutionize navigation in disaster-stricken areas. We will delve into the technical advancements in multi-GNSS signal processing, explore the benefits and challenges of integrating multi-GNSS with other navigation technologies, and examine specific use cases where multi-GNSS has proven invaluable in disaster management. Furthermore, we will identify key research gaps and future directions to further advance multiGNSS technology for disaster resilience.
II. MULTI-GNSS TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW
Multi-GNSS receivers are designed to acquire and track signals from multiple satellite constellations (e.g. GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, etc.) [1]. This offers several advantages over single-constellation receivers, particularly in the context of disaster management where signal disruptions are common:
To fully realize these benefits, multi-GNSS receivers employ sophisticated signal processing techniques, including multiconstellation and multi-frequency processing, as well as adaptive algorithms [5], [8]. These techniques enable the receiver to efficiently acquire and track multiple signals, mitigate errors, and adapt to changing signal conditions, ensuring reliable and accurate navigation in even the most challenging environments.
A. Multi-Constellation Signal Processing
Multi-constellation signal processing involves acquiring, tracking, and processing signals from multiple GNSS constellations simultaneously. This requires sophisticated algorithms to handle the diverse signal structures, frequencies, and modulation schemes of different constellations. Key challenges in multi-constellation signal processing include:
Recent advancements in signal processing techniques, such as parallel acquisition and tracking, advanced multipath mitigation algorithms (e.g., multipath estimation delay lock loop MEDLL), and interference cancellation techniques, have significantly improved the performance of multi-GNSS receivers [3], [5].
III. CHALLENGES IN GPS-DENIED ENVIRONMENTS
Disaster-stricken areas often pose significant challenges to GNSS navigation, rendering GPS signals unavailable or unreliable. These challenges necessitate the development of resilient navigation solutions that can operate effectively even when GPS signals are compromised [7].
A. Signal Blockage
Buildings, terrain, vegetation, or debris from collapsed structures can obstruct the line of sight between the receiver and GNSS satellites, resulting in signal loss and positioning outages [3], [7]. This is particularly problematic in urban environments and dense forests, where the receiver’s view of the sky is limited. For instance, a study by [7] showed significant signal blockage in urban canyons, leading to a loss of lock in up to 50% of cases.
B. Signal Attenuation
Atmospheric conditions like heavy rain, fog, or smoke from fires can attenuate GNSS signals, reducing their strength and making them difficult to acquire and track [1]. This attenuation can be particularly severe at lower elevation angles, where the signal has to travel through a larger portion of the atmosphere. Additionally, ionospheric scintillation, a phenomenon caused by irregularities in the ionosphere, can further degrade signal quality and lead to positioning errors.
C. Multipath Interference
In urban environments or areas with reflective surfaces, GNSS signals can bounce off buildings or other objects, creating multiple paths for the signal to reach the receiver. This can lead to significant errors in positioning, especially in single-frequency receivers [3]. Multipath interference can cause delays in the signal arrival time, resulting in incorrect distance measurements and positioning errors.
D. Intentional Interference
Jamming and spoofing attacks can intentionally disrupt GNSS signals, causing receivers to lose lock or provide incorrect positioning information. These attacks can be sophisticated and difficult to detect, posing a significant threat to critical applications that rely on GNSS [2]. Jamming involves transmitting a strong signal on the same frequency as the GNSS signal to overpower it, while spoofing involves transmitting a counterfeit signal that mimics the authentic GNSS signal, misleading the receiver into calculating an incorrect position. These challenges underscore the importance of developing resilient navigation systems that can overcome signal degradation and disruptions in disaster-stricken areas. Multi-GNSS technology, with its ability to leverage signals from multiple constellations and frequencies, offers a promising approach to address these challenges and ensure reliable navigation in GPS-denied environments.
IV. MULTI-GNSS SOLUTIONS FOR DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Multi-GNSS technology offers several solutions to mitigate the challenges faced in GPS-denied environments, enhancing navigation resilience in disaster scenarios:
A. Increased Signal Availability
By utilizing signals from multiple constellations, multiGNSS receivers can maintain a position fix even when some signals are unavailable. For example, if the GPS L1 signal is jammed or blocked, the receiver can still rely on signals from GLONASS, Galileo, or BeiDou to maintain positioning. This increased availability is crucial in disaster scenarios where reliable navigation is paramount. The redundancy provided by multiple constellations significantly improves the chances of obtaining a position fix in challenging environments [1]. This is particularly important in urban canyons where buildings can obstruct signals from certain satellites or during ionospheric disturbances that can affect the availability of GPS signals
[14].
B. Improved Accuracy and Robustness
Multi-GNSS systems can achieve higher positioning accuracy and robustness through the combination of multifrequency signals and advanced signal processing techniques.
C. Integration with Other Navigation Technologies
Integrating multi-GNSS with other navigation sensors can significantly enhance the resilience and accuracy of the navigation system in GPS-denied environments.
D. Resilience to Jamming and Spoofing
Multi-GNSS receivers are inherently more resilient to jamming and spoofing attacks due to the redundancy of signals from different constellations. Jamming one constellation is unlikely to disrupt signals from all other constellations. However, sophisticated jamming techniques, such as wideband jamming and meaconing, can still pose a threat to multi-GNSS systems
[2].
To mitigate these threats, advanced anti-jamming and antispoofing techniques have been developed [12]. Nulling antennas can be used to create spatial nulls towards the direction of the interfering signal, effectively reducing its impact. Signal authentication techniques, such as cryptographic authentication and signal quality monitoring, can be used to detect and reject spoofed signals. Additionally, the use of multiple frequencies can help to mitigate the effects of narrowband jamming, as the jammer is unlikely to block all frequencies simultaneously.
V. SPECIFIC USE CASES IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Multi-GNSS technology has found numerous applications in disaster management, where reliable navigation is critical for effective response and recovery efforts.
A. Search and Rescue Operations
In the aftermath of disasters, search and rescue (SAR) teams are deployed to locate and assist survivors. Multi-GNSS receivers can provide accurate and reliable positioning information to SAR teams, even in challenging environments like collapsed buildings, dense forests, or mountainous terrain [9], [11]. This can significantly reduce search times and increase the chances of rescuing survivors. For example, in a study by Scherzinger and Walter (2019) [9], a multi-GNSS system was successfully used to track the location of rescue teams and survivors during a large-scale earthquake. The system’s ability to provide accurate positioning in real-time proved to be invaluable in coordinating rescue efforts and saving lives.
Another example is the use of multi-GNSS in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for aerial search and rescue operations [21]. UAVs equipped with multi-GNSS receivers can quickly survey large areas and provide valuable information about the location of survivors and the extent of damage. This information can be used to guide rescue teams on the ground and prioritize rescue efforts.
B. Situational Awareness
Real-time situational awareness is crucial for effective disaster management. Multi-GNSS can be used to track the location and movement of personnel, vehicles, and assets deployed in disaster zones. This information can be used to coordinate rescue efforts, assess the situation on the ground, and make informed decisions about resource allocation. The ability to visualize the positions of various assets on a map can be invaluable for disaster response coordination [11].
For example, in a study by Li et al. (2020) [11], a multiGNSS based situational awareness system was developed for disaster response. The system integrated real-time GNSS data with geographic information system (GIS) data to provide a comprehensive view of the disaster area. This information was used to track the movement of rescue teams, identify areas of need, and coordinate the delivery of supplies and services.
C. Infrastructure Assessment
After a disaster, it is essential to assess the damage to critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and buildings. MultiGNSS can be used to create high-resolution maps and 3D models of the affected areas, helping engineers and responders to assess the extent of damage and plan reconstruction efforts. For instance, in the aftermath of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, multi-GNSS-based surveys were used to map the damage and identify safe areas for relief operations [22].
Multi-GNSS can also be used to monitor the structural health of critical infrastructure. By continuously tracking the displacement and deformation of structures, engineers can identify potential weaknesses and take preventive measures to avoid further damage. This can be particularly important in earthquake-prone areas, where multi-GNSS-based monitoring systems can provide early warning signals of structural failure.
D. Early Warning Systems
Multi-GNSS data can be used to monitor ground deformation and other environmental changes that may be precursors to natural disasters like earthquakes and landslides [17]. By analyzing subtle changes in the Earth’s crust, multi-GNSS can provide early warning signals that enable timely evacuation and mitigation measures. For example, researchers have used multi-GNSS data to detect pre-earthquake signals, such as slow slip events and ground uplift, with the potential to improve early warning systems and save lives.
In addition to earthquakes and landslides, multi-GNSS can also be used to monitor volcanic activity, tsunamis, and other natural hazards. By providing real-time information about ground deformation, sea level changes, and other relevant parameters, multi-GNSS can help to improve early warning systems and reduce the impact of natural disasters on communities and infrastructure.
VI. CHALLENGES AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS
While multi-GNSS technology holds great promise for disaster management, there are still challenges to be addressed to fully realize its potential for disaster resilience:
A. Complexity and Cost
Multi-GNSS receivers can be more complex and expensive than single-constellation receivers due to the need for additional hardware and software to process signals from multiple constellations [1]. This can hinder their widespread adoption, especially in resource-constrained environments or developing countries. Future research should focus on developing lowcost, compact, and energy-efficient multi-GNSS receivers that can be easily deployed in disaster zones.
B. Interoperability
The different GNSS constellations use different signal structures, frequencies, and modulation schemes, making it challenging to develop receivers that can seamlessly integrate signals from all constellations [3]. Standardization efforts and the development of open-source software platforms like GNSS-SDR are helping to address this issue, but further work is needed to ensure full interoperability across different GNSS constellations, especially as new constellations and signals are introduced.
C. Data Fusion
Effectively fusing data from multiple GNSS constellations and other navigation sensors requires sophisticated algorithms and careful calibration [15]. This is an active area of research, and new algorithms are constantly being developed to improve the accuracy, reliability, and robustness of multisensor navigation systems. Machine learning techniques are also being explored to optimize data fusion and adapt to changing environmental conditions [5]. However, there is still a need for more research to develop robust and efficient data fusion algorithms that can handle the diverse types of data from different sensors and constellations.
D. Cybersecurity
As GNSS becomes increasingly integrated into critical infrastructure, it becomes more vulnerable to cyberattacks. Jamming and spoofing attacks can disrupt GNSS signals and cause navigation errors, potentially leading to catastrophic consequences [2]. Developing effective cybersecurity measures to protect GNSS signals and receivers is a critical challenge that needs to be addressed in future research. This includes developing robust authentication and encryption protocols, as well as techniques for detecting and mitigating spoofing and jamming attacks.
E. Environmental Challenges
In disaster scenarios, GNSS signals can be severely affected by environmental factors such as heavy rainfall, dense foliage, or smoke from fires [7]. These factors can attenuate or block GNSS signals, making it difficult for receivers to maintain a lock. Future research should focus on developing techniques to mitigate the effects of environmental challenges on GNSS performance. This could include the use of more robust signal processing algorithms, the development of new antenna designs that can better penetrate obstacles, or the integration of GNSS with other sensors that are less affected by environmental factors.
F. Integration with Emerging Technologies
The integration of multi-GNSS with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) offers exciting possibilities for further improving navigation resilience in disaster management. For example, AI and ML algorithms could be used to predict and mitigate the effects of interference, optimize signal processing parameters in realtime, and improve the accuracy and reliability of multi-sensor data fusion. Additionally, the integration of multi-GNSS with other emerging technologies like 5G communications and the Internet of Things (IoT) could enable the development of more comprehensive and intelligent disaster management systems.
Multi-GNSS technology holds immense potential to revolutionize navigation in disaster-stricken areas. By leveraging signals from multiple constellations, multi-frequency observations, and advanced signal processing techniques, it offers enhanced availability, accuracy, and resilience compared to traditional single-constellation systems. The integration of multi-GNSS with other navigation technologies like INS and visual odometry further bolsters its capabilities in GPS-denied environments, ensuring continuous and reliable positioning even in the most challenging scenarios. The application of multi-GNSS in disaster management has already shown promising results in various use cases, including search and rescue operations, situational awareness, infrastructure assessment, and early warning systems. However, challenges such as cost, complexity, interoperability, and cybersecurity need to be addressed to fully realize the potential of multi-GNSS in this critical domain. Future research should focus on developing affordable and compact multi-GNSS receivers, improving signal processing and data fusion algorithms, and enhancing the cybersecurity of GNSS systems. The integration of multi-GNSS with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning could lead to further advancements in signal processing, interference mitigation, and adaptive navigation. With continued research and development, multi-GNSS technology has the potential to significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of disaster response and recovery efforts, ultimately saving lives and minimizing the impact of disasters on communities worldwide.
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Copyright © 2024 Anil Jangral, Prof. R M Bodade, Koushik G, J Karan Singh Ghuman. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Paper Id : IJRASET62945
Publish Date : 2024-05-29
ISSN : 2321-9653
Publisher Name : IJRASET
DOI Link : Click Here