Drone localization in GNSS-denied environments: Addressing the impacts of hardware imperfections, RIS assistance, and jammer nullification

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School of Electrical Engineering | Doctoral thesis (article-based) | Defence date: 2025-05-30
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Authors

Date

2025

Department

Informaatio- ja tietoliikennetekniikan laitos
Department of Information and Communications Engineering

Major/Subject

Mcode

Degree programme

Language

en

Pages

86 + app. 60

Series

Aalto University publication series Doctoral Theses, 100/2025

Abstract

Advances in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-free drone localization and tracking are essential for reliable operations in environments where GNSS signals are unavailable or compromised. This thesis explores robust localization frameworks through measurement-based methods for two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) localization, and simulation-based studies that assess hardware imperfections and jamming mitigation, with a focus on the potential of Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) technology to enhance performance and robustness. The first part of the research explores a measurement-based 2D GNSS-free drone-localization framework, employing unique methodologies to establish a baseline for GNSS-free positioning. Building on this foundation, the thesis progresses to measurement-based 3D GNSS-free localization frameworks, utilizing Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) testbeds with refined methods to enhance accuracy. This work lays a solid foundation by leveraging real-world measurements to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of GNSS-free drone localization, while addressing practical challenges and proposing solutions in both 2D and 3D scenarios. Moving on to simulationbased approaches, the study evaluates the impact of hardware impairments, such as Carrier Frequency Offset (CFO), Phase Noise (PN) and tilting base station (BS) antennas which are crucial for understanding how hardware imperfections degrade the accuracy and reliability of GNSS-free drone localization under real-world conditions. The thesis further explores RIS-assisted GNSS-free drone localization as a solution in scenarios where cellular BSs are unavailable, demonstrating the potential of the solution to enhance localization performance and mitigate jamming. Finally, the research integrates RIS-assisted 3D GNSS-free drone localization with jamming nullification strategies, providing a comprehensive approach for secure and precise GNSS-free drone positioning. Together, these contributions establish a solid foundation for advancing secure and accurate drone localization methodologies, combining practical measurement insights with state-of-the-art simulation capabilities.

Description

Supervising professor

Jäntti, Riku, Prof., Aalto University, Department of Information and Communications Engineering, Finland

Thesis advisor

Jäntti, Riku, Prof., Aalto University, Department of Information and Communications Engineering, Finland

Keywords

global navigation satellite system (GNSS), reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), carrier frequency offset (CFO), phase noise (PN), base station (BS), localization

Other note

Parts

  • [Publication 1]: Mehari Meles, Akash Rajasekaran, Kalle Ruttik, Reino Virrankoski and Riku Jäntti. Measurement based performance evaluation of drone self-localization using AoA of cellular signals. In 2021 24th International Symposium on Wireless Personal Multimedia Communications (WPMC), pp. 1-5, Dec 2021.
    DOI: 10.1109/WPMC52694.2021.9700407 View at publisher
  • [Publication 2]: Mehari Meles, Lauri Mela, Akash Rajasekaran, Kalle Ruttik and Riku Jäntti. Drone localization based on 3D-AoA signal measurements. In 2022 IEEE 95th Vehicular Technology Conference:(VTC2022-Spring), Helsinki City, Finland, pp. 1-5, Dec 2022.
    Full text in Acris/Aaltodoc: https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202210196060
    DOI: 10.1109/VTC2022-Spring54318.2022.9860965 View at publisher
  • [Publication 3]: Mehari Meles, Akash Rajasekaran, Lauri Mela, Kalle Ruttik and Riku Jäntti. Performance evaluation of measurement based GPS denied 3D drone localization and tracking. In In2023 IEEE Wireless Communications and Networking Conference (WCNC), Dubrovnik, Croatia, pp. 1-6, Mar 2023.
    Full text in Acris/Aaltodoc: https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202305173144
    DOI: 10.1109/WCNC55385.2023.10118816 View at publisher
  • [Publication 4]: Mehari Meles, Akash Rajasekaran, Estifanos Y.Menta, Lauri Mela and Riku Jäntti. Impact of Hardware Impairments and BS Antenna Tilt on 3D Drone Localization and Tracking. AEUE: International Journal of Electronics and Communications, vol. 187, no. 155543, pp. 1434-8411, Dec. 2024.
    Full text in Acris/Aaltodoc: https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202410236824
    DOI: 10.1016/j.aeue.2024.155543 View at publisher
  • [Publication 5]: Mehari Meles, Akash Rajasekaran, Lauri Mela and Riku Jäntti. RIS-Assisted Three-Dimensional Drone Localization and Tracking Under Hardware Impairments. IEEE Access., vol. 9, no. 24, pp. 25068-25085, Jun 2024.
  • [Publication 6]: Mehari Meles, Akash Rajasekaran, Reino Virrankoski and Riku Jäntti. Nullifying Jammer Effects in RIS-Assisted GNSS-free Drone Localization. Submitted to IET Electronics Letter, Dec 2024.

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https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-64-2561-0

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[diss] Sähkötekniikan korkeakoulu / ELEC