Local Differential GNSS Augmentation for Integration into Urban Air Mobility

Abstract

This paper describes a concept for local GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) augmentation, derived from the established Ground Based Augmentation System (GBAS) in civil aviation. The aim of this concept is to provide reliable and accurate GNSS measurements for integration into a redundant, safe and reliable integrated navigation architecture tailored to serve Urban Air Mobility (UAM). The proposed concept for local GNSS augmentation addresses the specific challenges of UAM, in particular for take-off and landing operations, and ensures safe separation between UAM vehicles en-route between vertiports. By using less expensive hardware com-pared to traditional GBAS, the concept aims to make the integration into a future urban airspace easier and more cost-effective, both in terms of ground infrastructure demands and on-board navigation hardware. In addition to the high-level system concept and considerations, we present an initial nominal performance assessment of local augmentation using lower-cost airborne and ground hardware. This assessment is based on actual UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) flight trials conducted in different urban scenarios, as well as long-term rooftop measurements.