Validation of two-wire power line UAV localization based on the magnetic field strength

TL;DR

This paper validates a magnetic field-based UAV localization method using two power lines, demonstrating its accuracy through laboratory experiments that compare favorably with high-precision RTK positioning.

Contribution

It extends previous magnetic localization techniques by validating a dual-line approach with experimental results matching RTK accuracy.

Findings

Localization accuracy within RTK range

Method works for both analytical and numerical solutions

Validated through laboratory experiments

Abstract

In this paper we extend our previous work on UAV localization based on the magnetic field strength. The method is based on a magnetic flux density distribution in vicinity of two very long, thin and parallel transmission lines. An UAV is equipped with 4 magnetometers, positioned so that obtained measurements give unique solution to an optimization problem used to find relative position and orientation of the UAV with respect to conductors. Several sets of experiments, undertaken on a laboratory setup, confirmed validity of the method for both solutions - analytical and numerical optimization. Obtained results, compared with high precision motion capture system, are within range of standard RTK positioning.