3 ECTS credits
90 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4011232DNR for all students in the 1st semester at a (D) Master - preliminary level.

Semester
1st semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
Dutch
Faculty
Faculteit Ingenieurswetenschappen
Department and involved faculties/organizations
Electricity
Electrical Engineering and Power Electronics
Electronics and Informatics
Educational team
Peter Van Den Bossche (course titular)
Hichem Sahli
Valéry Ann Jacobs
Leo Van Biesen
Activities and contact hours
24 contact hours Lecture
12 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
Course Content

 

1. Rationale: (L. Van Biesen)
General introduction to automatic navigation. Short historical perspective (What means were used in the course of history for positioning and navigation? How did one achieve estimated schemes?). Introduction to geodesion and used map projection systems in navigation (Latitude and Longitude. Motivation for nautical mile and knots. Mercator and Lambert projections. Reference ellipsoids and date, WGS84).

2. Segments: (L. Van Biesen)
The 4 different segments in automatic navigation are introduced and compared to each other (Aviation, Maritime navigation, Terrestrial navigation and Space travel).

3. Positioning techniques: (L. Van Biesen)
Short introduction (revision) of reproduction of radio waves (general electromagnetic reproduction, antennae, reproduction modes like ground wave, ionospherical reproduction, optical view). Measuring methods divided into 4 classes (corner directing methods, phase measurements, signal strength measurements, time measurements). Removing ambiguities (with GPS serving as an example), hyperbolic positioning methods. Localising through cellular networks (GSM, UMTS).

4. Radio navigation: (L. Van BIesen)
Use in aviation and maritime navigation and in continental navigation of radio beacons, Decca, Loran-C. Radar. Fault margins and fields of application (Air Traffic Control)

5. Satellite navigation: (L. Van Biesen)
Study of GPS and Differential GPS. GLONASS, EGNOS, WAAS, Galileo and GPS-III.

6. Landing systems: (L. Van Biesen)
Guidance techniques for the automatic landing of planes: VOR, ILS, microwave-landing system.

7. Cellular radio and navigation: (L. Van Biesen)
Localisation by cellular radio. Application to GSM. Possibilities in 3G radiotelephony (UMTS, Cell-ID, Location Based Services).

8. Land navigation: (L. Van Biesen)
Problems with the use of satellite positioning and cellular radio in urban areas (urban canyon navigation). Methods and sensors for estimated schemes (ABS, gyroscopes, accelerometers).

9. Intelligent vehicles (H. Sahli)
Image processing, line tracking, traffic control, positioning, anti-collision,...

Additional info

This information is not up-to-date anymore. Please temporarily consult course sheet ID009100 and contact the (main)instructor(s).

 

Further information about the subject area work unit, research projects etc. kan we found on the following URL's:

http://www.vub.ac.be/elec/
http://www.etro.vub.ac.be/ Own prepared, complete and annually revised notes are supplied for the students.

Complementary study material:
The course contains a reference list with basic works and more specialised books. These books, but also proceedings, journals, etc. are available in the libraries of subject area work units ELEC and ETRO and can be leant by the students.

Learning Outcomes

General competencies


This information is not up-to-date anymore. Please consult course sheet ID 09100 and contact the (main) instructor(s).

 

 

- Aims

This course aims to give students of engineering sciences a clear introduction into navigation, in the broadest sense and based on its historical development. This means basic knowledge of mathematical and geographical descriptions must be revised and that the theory of navigation (on land, sea and in space) will subsequently be thoroughly studied. Through practical examples in various fields of navigation the student is meant to become acquainted with the application of the concepts and theoretical findings. We shall then elaborate on the most recent technological theories which will be substantiated and tested through practical examples and student input during the seminars. After having taken this course, students must be capable of proposing an estimated scheme, defining the uncertainties within it, and depending on the field of application, be able to suggest position and movement sensors, indicate correction and processing algorithms, be able to analyse fusing methods and networking. When we discuss automatic navigation and intelligence emphasis is of course places on vehicles.

- Final objectives and exam requirements

The students should know the basic concepts and the theory of navigation (closed book). For the practical applications, based on technology, students are expected to be able to describe and elaborate on these (open book).

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Other Exam determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • exam with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

    Note: Exam moment 1st session:

    - oral exam L. Van Biesen: 20% (not transferred to 2nd session)
    - oral exam H. Sahli 20% (not transferred to 2nd session)
    - practicals: reports 60% (immediately transferred to 2nd session)


    Exam moment 2nd session:

    - oral exam L. Van Biesen: 20%
    - oral exam H. Sahli 20%
    - practicals: reports 60% (immediately transferred from 1st session)

Additional info regarding evaluation

Please read the information under course sheet ID009100 and contact the (main) instructor(s).

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Applied Sciences and Engineering: Applied Computer Science: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)