Pseudolite-augmented Precise Positioing System for Vessel Berthing

Abstract

A laser docking system provides a centimeter-level accuracy distance from jetty mounted laser sensors in order to help a vessel to approach to a pier. It is very accurate & useful, whereas there are too many considerable problems. Laser sensors of the laser docking system need to be correctly positioned and installed on a jetty to allow for full range of vessels to be berthed and to consider loading condition and tidal variations. Above all, the laser docking system is expansive and its service coverage is limited. In order to solve these problems, this paper proposes a pseudolite-augmented precise positioning system for vessel berthing. In this paper, pseudolite is used to aid in CDGPS positioning. This paper presents that the proposed system can provides the continuous service with centimeter-level positioning accuracy through comparison analysis of RDOP simulation results between the GPS satellite constellation and the pseudolite-augmented GPS satellite constellation. And this paper describes a test bed designed for performance evaluation of the proposed positioning system. Furthermore, it is shown that the proposed positioning system satisfies the positioning accuracy required for vessel berthing at the test bed.