Integration of a Space-Segment Model with GPS Satellites in Vehicle Dynamics Simulation for Early Evaluation of GPS/INS Data Fusion Architectures to Trace Precise Navigation

GPS-supported navigation technology and inertial sensors will play an equally important role for localizing the vehicle with lane accuracy as they will for determining the current vehicle condition. Modern suspension control systems, driver assistance systems and predictive driving strategies and energy management systems will be accessing these data. The information content, quality and redundancy of the individual sensor sources are significantly enhanced by means of suitable fusion algorithms. The use of navigation solutions in safety-critical driving situations, however, makes considerably higher demands on the quality and availability of the solution than those required by a purely supportive navigation application (such an onboard navigation system). Both the dynamics of the vehicle and the constant availability with a resolution that delivers optimum lane accuracy must be provided for this purpose.