Positioning Systems for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles: A Comprehensive Review

Positioning systems are integral to Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) operation, enabling precise navigation and control in complex underwater environments. This paper comprehensively reviews the key technologies employed for UUV positioning, including acoustic systems, inertial navigation, Doppler...

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Main Authors: Christos Alexandris, Panagiotis Papageorgas, Dimitrios Piromalis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/21/9671
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author Christos Alexandris
Panagiotis Papageorgas
Dimitrios Piromalis
author_facet Christos Alexandris
Panagiotis Papageorgas
Dimitrios Piromalis
author_sort Christos Alexandris
collection DOAJ
description Positioning systems are integral to Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) operation, enabling precise navigation and control in complex underwater environments. This paper comprehensively reviews the key technologies employed for UUV positioning, including acoustic systems, inertial navigation, Doppler velocity logs, and GPS when near the surface. These systems are essential for seabed mapping, marine infrastructure inspection, and search and rescue operations. The review highlights recent technological advancements and examines the integration of these systems to enhance accuracy and operational efficiency. It also addresses ongoing challenges, such as communication constraints, environmental variability, and discrepancies between theoretical models and field applications. Future trends in positioning system development are discussed, with a focus on improving reliability and performance in diverse underwater conditions to support the expanding capabilities of UUVs across scientific, commercial, and rescue missions.
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spelling doaj-art-bd6be19c8ec4429db285d4f9e3d2c7742025-08-20T02:14:22ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172024-10-011421967110.3390/app14219671Positioning Systems for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles: A Comprehensive ReviewChristos Alexandris0Panagiotis Papageorgas1Dimitrios Piromalis2Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, University of West Attica, 12244 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, University of West Attica, 12244 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, University of West Attica, 12244 Athens, GreecePositioning systems are integral to Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) operation, enabling precise navigation and control in complex underwater environments. This paper comprehensively reviews the key technologies employed for UUV positioning, including acoustic systems, inertial navigation, Doppler velocity logs, and GPS when near the surface. These systems are essential for seabed mapping, marine infrastructure inspection, and search and rescue operations. The review highlights recent technological advancements and examines the integration of these systems to enhance accuracy and operational efficiency. It also addresses ongoing challenges, such as communication constraints, environmental variability, and discrepancies between theoretical models and field applications. Future trends in positioning system development are discussed, with a focus on improving reliability and performance in diverse underwater conditions to support the expanding capabilities of UUVs across scientific, commercial, and rescue missions.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/21/9671unmanned underwater vehiclespositioning systemsmodelingautonomous underwater vehiclesremotely operated underwater vehicles
spellingShingle Christos Alexandris
Panagiotis Papageorgas
Dimitrios Piromalis
Positioning Systems for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles: A Comprehensive Review
Applied Sciences
unmanned underwater vehicles
positioning systems
modeling
autonomous underwater vehicles
remotely operated underwater vehicles
title Positioning Systems for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles: A Comprehensive Review
title_full Positioning Systems for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles: A Comprehensive Review
title_fullStr Positioning Systems for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles: A Comprehensive Review
title_full_unstemmed Positioning Systems for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles: A Comprehensive Review
title_short Positioning Systems for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles: A Comprehensive Review
title_sort positioning systems for unmanned underwater vehicles a comprehensive review
topic unmanned underwater vehicles
positioning systems
modeling
autonomous underwater vehicles
remotely operated underwater vehicles
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/21/9671
work_keys_str_mv AT christosalexandris positioningsystemsforunmannedunderwatervehiclesacomprehensivereview
AT panagiotispapageorgas positioningsystemsforunmannedunderwatervehiclesacomprehensivereview
AT dimitriospiromalis positioningsystemsforunmannedunderwatervehiclesacomprehensivereview