GPS/dead reckoning for vehicle tracking in the "urban canyon" environment

Abstract

Urban areas provide unique problems for Global Positioning System (GPS)-only vehicle location systems. GPS-only propagation can only be used over short intervals. To combat these problems, a dead reckoning capability is added to a GPS sensor. The system uses a low-cost vibrational gyro. The vehicle's odometer output combines with GPS to provide an accurate, robust positioning system for urban environments. The system performs well in harsh urban environments.