Review on bio-inspired polarized skylight navigation

In this review, the research progress of bio-inspired polarized skylight navigation is evaluated from the perspectives of theoretical basis, information detection, sensor design, and navigation realization. First, the theory for characterizing the polarization mode of the skylight was introduced. Second, using sunlight, moonlight, and ocean as backgrounds, the measurement results of skylight polarization distribution under different weather conditions are described to compare the variation patterns. Third, the development history and research outcomes of bionic polarization navigation sensor for polarized skylight detection and navigation information calculation are categorized into two types, namely non-imaging and imaging types. In precision measurement, the non-imaging type is higher than the imaging type, and the accuracy that it can reach is +/- 0.1 degrees of navigation accuracy without drift error. Fourth, two polarized skylight orientation algorithms, E-vector-based method and Solar Meridian-Anti Solar Meridian (SM-ASM)-based method are summarized. Fifth, this review details the combined application of polarized skylight navigation sensors and Inertial Navigation System (INS), Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), Vision, Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM), and other navigation systems. The yaw and trajectory accuracy can be increased by about 40% compared to classical navigation system in complex outdoor environments. Finally, the future development trends of polarization navigation are presented.(c) 2023 Production and hosting by Elsevier Ltd. on behalf of Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Automated summary

This review evaluates the research progress of bio-inspired polarized skylight navigation from the perspectives of theoretical basis, information detection, sensor design, and navigation realization. The review discusses the theory of skylight polarization, measurement results under different weather conditions, the development of bionic polarization navigation sensors, and the algorithms for polarization skylight orientation. The combined application of polarized skylight navigation sensors with other navigation systems is also examined. The review concludes by presenting the future development trends of polarization navigation.