Local positioning system for mobile robots using ultra wide-band technology

Abstract: This thesis explores the possibility of using ultra wideband technology to localize anoutdoor mobile robot. More explicitly, this project focuses on the multilaterationproblem where the topology of the static reference anchors are changed. Insteadof having stationary anchors they are placed on a mobile robot and by pinpointingone single static tag node the position of the robot is established. The research usesa robotic lawn mover from Husqvarna, the Automover 430X. The robot is used asa base platform for this thesis to evaluate if this approach is applicable for othergeneric robots in the same size. The feasibility of this solution is demonstratedthrough simulation using Matlab and the robot simulation environment Gazebo.Results show that this specific topology is feasible for tracking a specific point butis also suitable for positioning a mobile robot if coupled with an accurate headingsensor. The system was evaluated for several scenarios of which all indicated anadequate accuracy, provided that data from an encoder was used. The upper limitfor the position error in a one sided 95% confidence interval was 0.469m at a rangeof 40m.