A Technical Framework for Selection of Autonomous UAV Navigation Technologies and Sensors

The autonomous navigation of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) relies heavily on the navigation sensors. The UAV’s level of autonomy depends upon the various navigation systems, such as state measurement, mapping, and obstacle avoidance. Selecting the correct components is a critical part of the design process. However, this can be a particularly difficult task, especially for novices as there are several technologies and components available on the market, each with their own individual advantages and disadvantages. For example, satellite-based navigation components should be avoided when designing indoor UAVs. Incorporating them in the design brings no added value to the final product and will simply lead to increased cost and power consumption. Another issue is the number of vendors on the market, each trying to sell their hardware solutions which often incorporate similar technologies. The aim of this paper is to serve as a guide, proposing various methods to support the selection of fit-for-purpose technologies and components whilst avoiding system layout conflicts. The paper presents a study of the various navigation technologies and supports engineers in the selection of specific hardware solutions based on given requirements. The selection methods are based on easy-to-follow flow charts. A comparison of the various hardware components specifications is also included as part of this work.