Localization

As a global, satellite-based positioning system, GNSS provides stable localization of the target system outdoors, both on the ground and in the air. If a supply of correction data is also ensured, GNSS can already deliver a highly accurate and continuously stable position in many everyday situations. Tailored to your specific needs, our experts will define whether base systems (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo or BeiDou) should be excluded in your application case. The provision and operation of one’s own base stations is also a possibility for ensuring additional accuracy and greater robustness of the system. Positioning errors of significantly less than 50 cm can be achieved in this way. For even better results, our experts are also able to fuse the output of this system with other localization systems.   

Your benefits at a glance:

• Different GNSS receivers for different use cases – from a low-cost entry-level system to a robust dual-frequency receiver with an antenna for the suppression of multipath propagation
• Centimeter-accurate positioning outdoors by means of correction data from different sources and with adapted transmission channels
• Development on an automotive scale
• Expandable with IMU and RTK solutions

Separate solutions currently exist for the localization of vehicles and objects indoors and outdoors. We ensure secure real-time localization of objects, both indoors and outdoors and above all in transition. Bertrandt provides a solution that can be used in both domains in parallel, while also delivering a consistent position in the centimeter range in transition situations. For absolute positioning in situations where there is limited availability of satellite-based systems, ultra-wideband (UWB) radio technology is used, thus replacing a GNSS system. At the same time, an inertial sensor system guarantees a high resolution. According to the modular principle, we select further necessary sensor systems that are individually tailored to your use case.

Your benefit: the infrastructure required for this is particularly small, low-cost and low-maintenance! 

• Modular sensor fusion for various use cases
• Centimeter-precise localization outdoors and indoors
• Continuous localization with no loss of connection
• Simple system integration
• Development on an automotive scale

Even without previous information about the position or surroundings, a system using SLAM is able to generate its own map and locate itself in it. Usually, a series of camera or lidar data is used to gradually create the map on the basis of prominent points. This requires a high level of computing power and complex algorithms. When used correctly, SLAM offers a localization accuracy of a few centimeters even in dense, urban areas, but it also brings great challenges in the form of big data and the constantly changing real world.

Our experts will be happy to advise you at any time.

Before a system is able to provide localization, it has to be trained and conditioned. This requires external assistance. If an autonomous system uses SLAM, for example, it requires a map reference that can be compared with itself – a ground truth. However, in order to fulfill the requirements of a reference, the ground truth must be more accurate by several factors. 

If the position of the system is also to be determined on this highly accurate map, this will additionally require a ground truth of the localization that also has a higher accuracy than the test object. For outdoor situations, this can be provided, for example, by INS (Inertial Navigation Systems with GNSS and IMU) and the associated mapping in a suitable format (reference system, origin of coordinates, etc.).

For the generation of a ground truth, the respective referencing task must therefore be carefully considered. Only then is it possible to select the appropriate measuring system, to embed it in the corresponding measuring equipment or evaluation landscape, and to prepare the reference data in a targeted manner in order to generate the ground truth.

Bertrandt can support you by providing expertise in every aspect of a ground truth.

Your benefit: open up many different fields of application with a ground truth.

• Expert assessment to determine a sensible ground truth
• Modular hardware solutions for different use cases
• Implementation of a specific ground truth solution
• Support in integrating the ground truth into the assessment (metric and KPIs)

For autonomous driving, a high-resolution map is absolutely essential to enable the vehicle to locate its own position and collect information about its surroundings. It serves as a common location reference, also for vehicle and infrastructure sensor data, which, when combined, provide a realistic image of the environment. The Navigation Data Standard (NDS) in particular is the most frequently used database format for vehicle navigation solutions and also provides an excellent map base for autonomous vehicles. 

Our experts not only test map compilations and complete systems, but also secure them at the same time. In addition, they analyze and evaluate map attributes, visualize map data and create maps either with existing raw data or raw data that they have generated themselves. Furthermore, Bertrandt’s own access layer for NDS maps enables us to respond to your personal requirements profile individually and in the shortest possible time.   

By the way: Bertrandt is the first and only development service provider to become a member of the NDS consortium, and due to our close cooperation with the major car makers and the relevant navigation suppliers, we are always at the cutting edge of developments.