Autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) navigation and localization in underwater environments is particularly challenging due to the rapid attenuation of Global Positioning System (GPS) and radio-frequency signals. Underwater communications are low bandwidth and unreliable, and there is no access to a global positioning system. Past approaches to solve the AUV localization problem have employed expensive inertial sensors, used installed beacons in the region of interest, or required periodic surfacing of the AUV. While these methods are useful, their performance is fundamentally limited. Advances in underwater communications and the application of simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) technology to the underwater realm have yielded new possibilities in the field. This paper presents a review of the state of the art of AUV navigation and localization, as well as a description of some of the more commonly used methods. In addition, we highlight areas of future research potential.

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AUV Navigation and Localization: A Review

A survey of underwater vehicle navigation: Recent advances and new challenges

The Sierra Club handbook of whales and dolphins (book review)

Advancements in the field of autonomous underwater vehicle

Robust fuzzy 3D path following for autonomous underwater vehicle subject to uncertainties

In this paper, we propose a novel navigation method for underwater vehicles based on a single seafloor station (SS), with which the vehicles can estimate their positions and orientations with respect to the SS without the need of expensive inertial navigation system or time-consuming calibration. This method is suitable for near-seafloor applications requiring real-time and accurate positioning, such as seafloor imaging and sampling. The method is also suitable for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) since no other external aid is necessary other than SS. The key idea is to utilize mutual acoustical measurements between the vehicle and the SS. Simply explained: 1) the vehicle starts by interrogating the SS acoustically and measures the range between the two units as well as the bearing of the SS with respect to the vehicle in the vehicle reference frame; and then, 2) the SS computes the bearing of the vehicle with respect to the SS and transmits this information back to the vehicle using a similar acoustical device. By combining this information and inputting it into a nonlinear filter structure that includes measurements of the vehicle's ground velocity and yaw angular velocity, the vehicle computes its position and heading estimates. A pair of acoustical devices named acoustical localization and communication (ALOC) devices that can communicate and calculate their relative positions have been built. Sea trials were carried out in October 2011 using the AUV Tri-Dog1 (TD) and a trial SS at Kagoshima Bay in Japan. The AUV successfully navigated around the SS based on the measurements of the ALOC device mounted on both the AUV and the SS. The performance of the method was verified through simulations based on the experimental results.

Navigation Method for Underwater Vehicles Based on Mutual Acoustical Positioning With a Single Seafloor Station

In this paper, we introduce a newly developed AUV (Autonomous underwater vehicle) "TUNA-SAND"(Terrain- based Underwater Navigable AUV for Seafloor And Natural resources Development) and its exploration of the hydrothermal vent in Kagoshima Bay, Japan carried out on August 2007. TUNA-SAND is a hovering type AUV constructed in March 2007 as a platform for visual investigation of seafloor features.

AUV "TUNA-SAND" and its Exploration of hydrothermal vents at Kagoshima Bay

This paper describes path re-planning techniques and underwater obstacle avoidance for unmanned surface vehicle (USV) based on multi-beam forward looking sonar (FLS). Near-optimal paths in static and dynamic environments with underwater obstacles are computed using a numerical solution procedure based on an A* algorithm. The USV is modeled with a circular shape in 2 degrees of freedom (surge and yaw). In this paper, two-dimensional (2-D) underwater obstacle avoidance and the robust real-time path re-planning technique for actual USV using multi-beam FLS are developed. Our real-time path re-planning algorithm has been tested to regenerate the optimal path for several updated frames in the field of view of the sonar with a proper update frequency of the FLS. The performance of the proposed method was verified through simulations, and sea experiments. For simulations, the USV model can avoid both a single stationary obstacle, multiple stationary obstacles and moving obstacles with the near-optimal trajectory that are performed both in the vehicle and the world reference frame. For sea experiments, the proposed method for an underwater obstacle avoidance system is implemented with a USV test platform. The actual USV is automatically controlled and succeeded in its real-time avoidance against the stationary undersea obstacle in the field of view of the FLS together with the Global Positioning System (GPS) of the USV.

Application of A* algorithm for real-time path re-planning of an unmanned surface vehicle avoiding underwater obstacles

We propose a docking method for a hovering type AUVs at a seafloor station. Although hovering type AUVs are suitable for detailed surveys of local area, docking methods are currently less studied compared with ones for cruising type AUVs. This paper proposes a docking method for hovering type AUVs based on both the acoustic and visual positioning. The proposed method was implemented in the AUV Tri-TON and a trial station in order to verify its performance through tank experiments. The vehicle succeeded in docking at the station 13 times, which accounts for half of the total number of trials. The possible causes of the failures and improvement methods are also discussed.

Docking method for hovering type AUVs by acoustic and visual positioning

Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) are suitable for condition survey of artificial structures such as pillars and caissons in harbors. This paper describes a method to trace the structure's surface using a light-section profiling system. This profiling system determines the continuous shape of the target objects over a wide area by the light sectioning method. The vehicle navigates referencing the principal shape of the structure, tracing its surface while taking video images. This method also enables three-dimensional mapping of traced structures and the seabed. The method is implemented using testbed AUV "Tri-Dog 1" and verified by tank tests. The AUV navigates robustly against trivial objects such as small obstacles and floating particles. Precise depth mapping of the tank bottom is carried out.

Takashi Sakamaki

Papers

Navigation Method for Underwater Vehicles Based on Mutual Acoustical Positioning With a Single Seafloor Station

AUV "TUNA-SAND" and its Exploration of hydrothermal vents at Kagoshima Bay

Application of A* algorithm for real-time path re-planning of an unmanned surface vehicle avoiding underwater obstacles

Docking method for hovering type AUVs by acoustic and visual positioning

Relative navigation of an autonomous underwater vehicle using a light-section profiling system