In inertial navigation systems (INS), a receiver refers to a sensor or device that collects external signals (such as GNSS, radar, LiDAR, or radio signals) to assist in determining the position, velocity, and time (PVT) of the system. The receiver works alongside the IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) to correct for drift errors and enhance the accuracy of navigation.
Types of Receivers in INS
GNSS Receiver – The most common type, it receives signals from GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, and Galileo satellites to provide global positioning data.
Radio Frequency (RF) Receiver – Used in RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) and RTLS (Real-Time Location Systems) to improve local positioning accuracy.
Radar Receiver – Detects and processes radio waves to measure distance and velocity, often used in military, aviation, and autonomous vehicle applications.
LiDAR Receiver – Captures laser reflections to create 3D maps, commonly used in terrain mapping and autonomous navigation.
Sonar Receiver – Used in underwater navigation, sonar receivers detect sound waves for depth measurement and object detection.
How Receivers Work in INS?
Signal Reception – The receiver collects signals from external sources, such as satellites, radio towers, or laser reflections.
Data Processing – The received signal is processed to extract positioning data, such as latitude, longitude, altitude, and velocity.
Integration with INS – The positioning data from the receiver is combined with IMU data to correct position drift and enhance overall navigation accuracy.
Error Correction – Advanced receivers use differential corrections (e.g., RTK, PPP) to improve positioning precision.
Applications of Receivers in INS
✔ Aerospace & Aviation – GNSS receivers assist in aircraft navigation, flight tracking, and landing precision.
✔ Autonomous Vehicles – RTK and LiDAR receivers enable self-driving cars and drones to navigate safely.
✔ Maritime & Submarine Navigation – Sonar receivers help ships and submarines determine depth and location underwater.
✔ Military & Defense – Radar and GNSS receivers enhance missile guidance, target tracking, and battlefield awareness.
