Attitude-Compensated and Acoustics-Calibrated Model-Aided Navigation Framework for AUVs

Abstract

Model-aided navigation is a key approach for enhancing the positioning accuracy of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). However, its precision is often degraded by model-based velocity errors arising from attitude-induced deviations and uncertainties in the mapping between propeller rotational speed and vehicle velocity. To overcome these limitations, this study proposes an attitude-compensated and acoustics-calibrated model-aided navigation framework for AUVs. The framework derives the vertical velocity from pressure sensor depth data to correct attitude-related model errors. It also dynamically refines the mapping between propeller speed and velocity using long-baseline (LBL) acoustic positioning data when LBL measurements are available. A sea trial was conducted in the South China Sea at a depth of 2000 m to verify the proposed method. The results showed that the system maintained a positional accuracy of 509 m over 5 h beyond LBL coverage. This outcome demonstrates its ability to achieve sustained high-precision navigation without external assistance.

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