3D Indoor Position Estimation Based on a UDU Factorization Extended Kalman Filter Structure Using Beacon Distance and Inertial Measurement Unit Data

The development of the GPS (Global Positioning System) and related advances have made it possible to conceive of an outdoor positioning system with great accuracy; however, for indoor positioning, more efficient, reliable, and cost-effective technology is required. There are a variety of techniques utilized for indoor positioning, such as those that are Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, infrared, ultrasound, magnetic, and visual-marker-based. This work aims to design an accurate position estimation algorithm by combining raw distance data from ultrasonic sensors (Marvelmind Beacon) and acceleration data from an inertial measurement unit (IMU), utilizing the extended Kalman filter (EKF) with UDU factorization (expressed as the product of a triangular, a diagonal, and the transpose of the triangular matrix) approach. Initially, a position estimate is calculated through the use of a recursive least squares (RLS) method with a trilateration algorithm, utilizing raw distance data. This solution is then combined with acceleration data collected from the Marvelmind sensor, resulting in a position solution akin to that of the GPS. The data were initially collected via the ROS (Robot Operating System) platform and then via the Pixhawk development card, with tests conducted using a combination of four fixed and one moving Marvelmind sensors, as well as three fixed and one moving sensors. The designed algorithm is found to produce accurate results for position estimation, and is subsequently implemented on an embedded development card (Pixhawk). The tests showed that the designed algorithm gives accurate results with centimeter precision. Furthermore, test results have shown that the UDU-EKF structure integrated into the embedded system is faster than the classical EKF.