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OCC-Based Positioning Method for Autonomous UAV Navigation in GNSS-Denied Environments: An Offshore Wind Farm
1Department of Electronic Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 31, 2025
Summary
This study introduces an optical camera communication (OCC) positioning method for uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) in GPS-denied areas. The system uses LED lights for precise, real-time 3D positioning, offering a robust navigation alternative.
Area of Science:
- Robotics and Autonomous Systems
- Optical Wireless Communications
- Navigation and Positioning Systems
Background:
- Accurate navigation for uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) is essential, particularly in environments lacking reliable Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals.
- Existing localization methods often rely on satellite or radio frequency (RF) infrastructure, which can be unavailable or unreliable in certain operational settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate an optical camera communication (OCC)-based positioning method for real-time 3D coordinate estimation of UAVs.
- To demonstrate a GNSS-independent localization solution using visible light communication.
Main Methods:
- Utilized aviation obstruction light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as optical transmitters emitting color-shift-keying modulated signals.
- Employed a UAV-mounted camera as the receiver to capture and decode LED signals.
- Integrated decoded positional identifiers with geometric constraints via the Perspective-n-Point algorithm for 3D position estimation.
Main Results:
- Achieved submeter localization precision over a 50,000 cm flight path in a simulated offshore wind farm environment.
- Validated the feasibility and accuracy of the OCC-based positioning method for real-time UAV navigation.
- Demonstrated the system's capability to operate effectively without GNSS or RF infrastructure.
Conclusions:
- OCC-based positioning presents a cost-effective and robust alternative for UAV navigation in GNSS-denied or complex environments.
- The method shows significant potential for industrial applications, such as offshore wind farm inspection and maintenance.
- Integration of optical wireless communication offers a promising pathway for enhancing autonomous UAV systems.
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