UAV-aided source localization in urban environments based on ray launching simulation

A novel source localization approach suitable for urban environments is proposed. The reliability against noise and other practical issues are investigated via simulation. A fingerprint database of transmitter and receiver candidate locations is obtained using an efficient ray launching simulator developed in earlier work. Following a pre-described path, a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) equipped with a radio receiver is simulated to generate time series of observations such as signal strength and angle-of-arrival for all possible transmitter candidate locations. The localisation algorithm uses an approach based on the DFT (discrete Fourier transform) and dynamic time warping (DTW). Using the fingerprint database and the measured time-series the best matching transmitter location is found. The algorithm is found to be robust to significant measurement errors and also to signification deviations in the actual path flown by the UAV.