Cosmic Ray Muon Navigation for Subsurface Environments: Technologies and Challenges

The global navigation satellite system (GNSS), using electromagnetic signals, enables continuous positioning throughout the entire surface of the Earth. However, underwater and underground environments significantly restrict the propagation of electromagnetic waves. The sole approach to aid position...

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Main Authors: Dongqing Zhao, Pengfei Li, Linyang Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Particles
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2571-712X/8/2/46
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author Dongqing Zhao
Pengfei Li
Linyang Li
author_facet Dongqing Zhao
Pengfei Li
Linyang Li
author_sort Dongqing Zhao
collection DOAJ
description The global navigation satellite system (GNSS), using electromagnetic signals, enables continuous positioning throughout the entire surface of the Earth. However, underwater and underground environments significantly restrict the propagation of electromagnetic waves. The sole approach to aid positioning is the utilization of sound signals. Signal blockage in underground and indoor environments demands the accurate location of anchor points for local positioning, which requires previous deployment. Unlike radio waves, the cosmic ray muons are highly reliable natural signal sources for positioning, remaining immune to spoofing and interference. Starting from the standpoint of navigation and positioning, this paper briefly introduces the physical properties of cosmic ray muons and outlines the measurements and positioning principles of muon navigation, including trilateral localization based on the time of flight (TOF) and angular localization based on the angle of arrival (AOA). It subsequently presents the pertinent studies conducted and analyzes the findings. Finally, the challenges of muon navigation are explored from three perspectives: positioning signals, positioning models, and application scenarios. This will offer some new ideas for the domain of localization for further research on muon positioning.
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publishDate 2025-04-01
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series Particles
spelling doaj-art-4da971aa0b5f4d5398ce75f457197b5d2025-08-20T03:27:32ZengMDPI AGParticles2571-712X2025-04-01824610.3390/particles8020046Cosmic Ray Muon Navigation for Subsurface Environments: Technologies and ChallengesDongqing Zhao0Pengfei Li1Linyang Li2Key Laboratory of Smart Earth, No. 66, Minzuyuan Road, Beijing 100094, ChinaSchool of Geospatial Information, Information Engineering University, No. 62, Kexue Road, Zhengzhou 450001, ChinaSchool of Geospatial Information, Information Engineering University, No. 62, Kexue Road, Zhengzhou 450001, ChinaThe global navigation satellite system (GNSS), using electromagnetic signals, enables continuous positioning throughout the entire surface of the Earth. However, underwater and underground environments significantly restrict the propagation of electromagnetic waves. The sole approach to aid positioning is the utilization of sound signals. Signal blockage in underground and indoor environments demands the accurate location of anchor points for local positioning, which requires previous deployment. Unlike radio waves, the cosmic ray muons are highly reliable natural signal sources for positioning, remaining immune to spoofing and interference. Starting from the standpoint of navigation and positioning, this paper briefly introduces the physical properties of cosmic ray muons and outlines the measurements and positioning principles of muon navigation, including trilateral localization based on the time of flight (TOF) and angular localization based on the angle of arrival (AOA). It subsequently presents the pertinent studies conducted and analyzes the findings. Finally, the challenges of muon navigation are explored from three perspectives: positioning signals, positioning models, and application scenarios. This will offer some new ideas for the domain of localization for further research on muon positioning.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-712X/8/2/46cosmic ray muonsmuon measurementsmuon navigationtime of flight (TOF)angle of arrival (AOA)
spellingShingle Dongqing Zhao
Pengfei Li
Linyang Li
Cosmic Ray Muon Navigation for Subsurface Environments: Technologies and Challenges
Particles
cosmic ray muons
muon measurements
muon navigation
time of flight (TOF)
angle of arrival (AOA)
title Cosmic Ray Muon Navigation for Subsurface Environments: Technologies and Challenges
title_full Cosmic Ray Muon Navigation for Subsurface Environments: Technologies and Challenges
title_fullStr Cosmic Ray Muon Navigation for Subsurface Environments: Technologies and Challenges
title_full_unstemmed Cosmic Ray Muon Navigation for Subsurface Environments: Technologies and Challenges
title_short Cosmic Ray Muon Navigation for Subsurface Environments: Technologies and Challenges
title_sort cosmic ray muon navigation for subsurface environments technologies and challenges
topic cosmic ray muons
muon measurements
muon navigation
time of flight (TOF)
angle of arrival (AOA)
url https://www.mdpi.com/2571-712X/8/2/46
work_keys_str_mv AT dongqingzhao cosmicraymuonnavigationforsubsurfaceenvironmentstechnologiesandchallenges
AT pengfeili cosmicraymuonnavigationforsubsurfaceenvironmentstechnologiesandchallenges
AT linyangli cosmicraymuonnavigationforsubsurfaceenvironmentstechnologiesandchallenges