Introduction to Maritime Navigation Challenges
In the dynamic and unpredictable maritime environment, ships rely heavily on stable and reliable navigation systems to ensure safe and efficient voyages. However, satellite navigation signals often face interference and obstructions, leading to degraded positioning accuracy. This paper introduces a novel approach to enhance maritime navigation systems using a bidirectional smoothing filter vector tracking loop (VTL) structure. This method combines the Kalman filter (KF) and Divided Difference filter (DDF) to improve the system’s responsiveness and accuracy under high-noise conditions.
Importance of Reliable Navigation Systems
Navigation safety is a top priority for mariners, given the complex nature of the maritime environment. Factors such as weather, tides, and ocean currents pose significant challenges. Advanced navigation technology provides accurate positioning and assists vessels in avoiding hazards, enhancing navigation efficiency. Modern systems integrate intelligent features to maintain safe passage even in adverse conditions, ensuring the safety of the crew and cargo.
Performance Standards and Challenges
According to the International Maritime Organization’s MSC.401(95) resolution, shipborne radio navigation systems must remain stable despite electromagnetic interference. Traditional navigation systems face challenges in complex environments, where signal interference and obstructions can reduce positioning accuracy. Future developments in maritime navigation technology should focus on achieving higher precision and reliability to safeguard against these challenges.
Vector Tracking Loop Methodology
Satellite navigation receivers achieve stable outputs by tracking radio frequency signals from satellites. Signal-tracking loop methods are categorized into scalar tracking loops (STL) and vector tracking loops (VTL). Scalar tracking operates independently for each satellite signal, while vector tracking processes all signals in a single integrative filter, enhancing stability and robustness. The vector tracking method is favored for its anti-interference capability and performance under weak signal conditions.
Research and Development in Navigation Technology
The demand for high reliability in navigation systems has led to advancements in vector tracking loops. Researchers have improved vector tracking methods to meet modern navigation systems’ accuracy, reliability, and stability requirements. Various studies have proposed methods to detect and correct errors, enhance security, and reduce computational complexity, contributing to the development of robust navigation systems.
Proposed KF-DDF Algorithm Framework
This study builds on the vector tracking method’s performance in anti-jamming environments by proposing a new algorithmic framework. The framework combines the Kalman Filter and Divided Difference Filter (KF-DDF) to enhance tracking performance and robustness. The proposed method aims to improve the anti-jamming capability and positioning accuracy of shipborne satellite navigation systems.
Experimental Validation and Results
To validate the proposed method, a series of navigation experiments were conducted in real-world scenarios. The experiments demonstrated the method’s superiority in improving signal tracking accuracy and system robustness. Compared to traditional methods, the KF-DDF approach achieved significant improvements in positioning and velocity accuracy, effectively overcoming signal interference and blockages.
Conclusion and Future Implications
The improved bidirectional filter VTL method based on KF-DDF effectively addresses signal interference in complex environments. The method significantly enhances navigation accuracy and robustness, providing reliable support for high-precision shipborne navigation systems. Future research should continue to explore optimization strategies to further improve system performance under challenging conditions.
🔗 **Fuente:** https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1572695/full