Lever arm measurement precision and its impact on exterior orientation parameters in GNSS/IMU integration

Abstract: Airborne mobile mapping systems are crucial in various geodetic applications. A key aspect of these systems is the accurate estimation of exterior orientation parameters (EOPs), which is achieved through the integration of global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs) and inertial measurement unit (IMU) technologies. One critical component in this integration is the lever arm (LA), the vector that connects the GNSS antenna and the IMU center. The uncertainty (standard deviation) in LA measurements can introduce errors in the EOP estimation, thereby affecting the overall system performance. However, how much the EOP estimation is affected by LA measurement uncertainty is examined in this study based on calibration data (test flight) using the TerrainMapper 2 system collected by Lantmäteriet in Sweden. The findings reveal that LA uncertainties have minimal influence on attitude and negligible impacts on position in terms of standard deviation (SD) if the LA is measured with an accuracy of less than 2–3 cm. Additionally, the research explores the combined effects of virtual reference station-rover baseline length and dilution of precision on positioning accuracy and their correlation with LA uncertainty, providing further insights into the complexities of EOP estimation. By advancing GNSS/IMU integration techniques, this study contributes to the enhancement of geodetic technologies customized for airborne mobile mapping applications.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Lever arm measurement precision and its impact on exterior orientation parameters in GNSS/IMU integration ; volume:14 ; number:1 ; year:2024 ; extent:20 ; Journal of Geodetic Science ; 14, Heft 1 (2024) (gesamt 20)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Jouybari, Arash ; Bagherbandi, Mohammad ; Nilfouroushan, Faramarz

Further information

• DOI: 10.1515/jogs-2022-0179
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2412011513213.294497496708
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:30 AM CEST