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Positioning and Orientation Systems (POS) use positioning technology (like GPS) to
determine the position and orientation of an object.
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based satellite navigation system that
provides location and time information in all weather conditions, anywhere on or near the Earth
where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites.
An Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) is an electronic device that measures and reports on a
vehicle’s velocity, orientation, and gravitational forces, using a combination of accelerometers
and gyroscopes. IMU are typically used to maneuver aircraft, including unmanned aerial
vehicles, among many others.
An IMU allows a GPS to work when GPS-signals are unavailable, such as in tunnels and inside
buildings.
An IMU works by detecting the current rate of acceleration using one or more accelerometers,
and detects changes in rotational attributes like pitch, roll and yaw using one or more
gyroscopes.
The term IMU is widely used to refer to a box containing three accelerometers and three
gyroscopes. The accelerometers are placed such that their measuring axes are perpendicular
(orthogonal) to each other. They measure inertial acceleration, also known as G-forces.
Radar (RAdio Detection And Ranging) is an object detection system which uses radio waves
to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. The radar transmits pulses of
radio waves or microwaves which bounce off any object in their path. The object returns a tiny
part of the wave's energy to the radar transmitter.
LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging, also LADAR) is an optical remote sensing technology
that can measure the distance to, or other properties of, targets by illuminating the target with
laser light and analyzing the backscattered light. LIDAR technology has applications in
geomatics, archaeology, geography, geology, geomorphology, seismology, forestry, remote
sensing, atmospheric physics, airborne laser swath mapping (ALSM), laser altimetry, and
contour mapping.
The acronym LADAR (Laser Detection and Ranging) is often used in military contexts. The
term "laser radar" is sometimes used, even though LIDAR is not radar in the strict sense of the
word. (It does not employ microwaves or radio waves)
LIDAR uses ultraviolet, visible, or near infrared light to image objects and can be used with a
wide range of targets, including non-metallic objects. A narrow laser beam can be used to map
physical features with very high resolution.
LIDAR has been used extensively for atmospheric research and meteorology. In addition,
LIDAR has been identified by NASA as a key technology for enabling autonomous precision
safe landing of robotic and crewed lunar landing vehicles.
An optical rotary encoder (incremental type) is an electro-mechanical device that converts
the angular position or motion of a shaft or axle to an analog or digital code. An "incremental"
encoder accurately records changes in position, but does not power up with a fixed relation
between encoder state and physical position. Devices controlled by incremental encoders may
"go home" to a fixed reference point to initialize the position measurement.