Remote Target High-Precision Global Geolocalization of UAV Based on Multimodal Visual Servo

In this work, we propose a geolocation framework for distant ground targets integrating laser rangefinder sensors with multimodal visual servo control. By simulating binocular visual servo measurements through monocular visual servo tracking at fixed time intervals, our approach requires only single...

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Main Authors: Xuyang Zhou, Ruofei He, Wei Jia, Hongjuan Liu, Yuanchao Ma, Wei Sun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Remote Sensing
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/14/2426
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author Xuyang Zhou
Ruofei He
Wei Jia
Hongjuan Liu
Yuanchao Ma
Wei Sun
author_facet Xuyang Zhou
Ruofei He
Wei Jia
Hongjuan Liu
Yuanchao Ma
Wei Sun
author_sort Xuyang Zhou
collection DOAJ
description In this work, we propose a geolocation framework for distant ground targets integrating laser rangefinder sensors with multimodal visual servo control. By simulating binocular visual servo measurements through monocular visual servo tracking at fixed time intervals, our approach requires only single-session sensor attitude correction calibration to accurately geolocalize multiple targets during a single flight, which significantly enhances operational efficiency in multi-target geolocation scenarios. We design a step-convergent target geolocation optimization algorithm. By adjusting the step size and the scale factor of the cost function, we achieve fast accuracy convergence for different UAV reconnaissance modes, while maintaining the geolocation accuracy without divergence even when the laser ranging sensor is turned off for a short period. The experimental results show that through the UAV’s continuous reconnaissance measurements, the geolocalization error of remote ground targets based on our algorithm is less than 7 m for 3000 m, and less than 3.5 m for 1500 m. We have realized the fast and high-precision geolocalization of remote targets on the ground under the high-altitude reconnaissance of UAVs.
format Article
id doaj-art-59e0e50f97d4402db09a03545f7e3963
institution Kabale University
issn 2072-4292
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Remote Sensing
spelling doaj-art-59e0e50f97d4402db09a03545f7e39632025-08-20T03:32:15ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922025-07-011714242610.3390/rs17142426Remote Target High-Precision Global Geolocalization of UAV Based on Multimodal Visual ServoXuyang Zhou0Ruofei He1Wei Jia2Hongjuan Liu3Yuanchao Ma4Wei Sun5School of Aerospace Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an 710071, China365th Research Institute, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China365th Research Institute, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, ChinaXi’an ASN Technology Group Co., Ltd., Xi’an 710065, ChinaXi’an ASN Technology Group Co., Ltd., Xi’an 710065, ChinaSchool of Aerospace Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an 710071, ChinaIn this work, we propose a geolocation framework for distant ground targets integrating laser rangefinder sensors with multimodal visual servo control. By simulating binocular visual servo measurements through monocular visual servo tracking at fixed time intervals, our approach requires only single-session sensor attitude correction calibration to accurately geolocalize multiple targets during a single flight, which significantly enhances operational efficiency in multi-target geolocation scenarios. We design a step-convergent target geolocation optimization algorithm. By adjusting the step size and the scale factor of the cost function, we achieve fast accuracy convergence for different UAV reconnaissance modes, while maintaining the geolocation accuracy without divergence even when the laser ranging sensor is turned off for a short period. The experimental results show that through the UAV’s continuous reconnaissance measurements, the geolocalization error of remote ground targets based on our algorithm is less than 7 m for 3000 m, and less than 3.5 m for 1500 m. We have realized the fast and high-precision geolocalization of remote targets on the ground under the high-altitude reconnaissance of UAVs.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/14/2426global geolocationimage-based visual servomultimodal visionunmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing
spellingShingle Xuyang Zhou
Ruofei He
Wei Jia
Hongjuan Liu
Yuanchao Ma
Wei Sun
Remote Target High-Precision Global Geolocalization of UAV Based on Multimodal Visual Servo
Remote Sensing
global geolocation
image-based visual servo
multimodal vision
unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing
title Remote Target High-Precision Global Geolocalization of UAV Based on Multimodal Visual Servo
title_full Remote Target High-Precision Global Geolocalization of UAV Based on Multimodal Visual Servo
title_fullStr Remote Target High-Precision Global Geolocalization of UAV Based on Multimodal Visual Servo
title_full_unstemmed Remote Target High-Precision Global Geolocalization of UAV Based on Multimodal Visual Servo
title_short Remote Target High-Precision Global Geolocalization of UAV Based on Multimodal Visual Servo
title_sort remote target high precision global geolocalization of uav based on multimodal visual servo
topic global geolocation
image-based visual servo
multimodal vision
unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/14/2426
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AT hongjuanliu remotetargethighprecisionglobalgeolocalizationofuavbasedonmultimodalvisualservo
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