GPS data filtering

nicofer · Joined: 01 May 2013 Posts: 90 Location: GRJ

Hi
I am busy with a gps runner watch ( mega128 with a GTOP 16x16 mm gps ) - no fun in buying a working one Wink

I can get all the parts working , oled display , sd card for track log , and all the other bits.

I do have a problem with the gps data .

When standing still the lat and long values tend to drift a bit ,as expected , and I have a filter to detect if the delta distance between 2 readings exceed the limit.

This seems to help to prevent false distance readings due to small changes when not moving.

The bigger problem is that at times the distance reading jump quite high when the signal is low or for what ever reason and then the total distance jumps up quite fast .

I notice Kalman filters are used for GPS but I cant seem to find a good working sample .

I also notice the MCS gps distance sample make use of DOUBLE precision , and code from another user make use of SINGLE precision . Which is better , good enough , for this application?

Any help to prevent this false readings would be highly appreciated.

Best wishes.

Nico

bzijlstra · Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2014 3:11 pm Post subject: Kalman filter

Think you got the wrong section of the forum - AVR-DOS. But no problem...

There is a section AR7212 which handles things like Kalman filters.

Perhaps you can find the answer, or ask your question there.

Have fun
Ben Zijlstra

nicofer · Joined: 01 May 2013 Posts: 90 Location: GRJ

Hi
Yes , I never even noticed I was in the AVR DOS section.

Thanks anyway - will check there

Cheers

AdrianJ · Joined: 16 Jan 2006 Posts: 2483 Location: Queensland

You will often get big jumps in the GPS position, due to a whole range of effects, satellite low signal, handover from satelllite to satellite, reflections off nearby objects, etc.

Very often, the jump is confined to a single or few consecutive message groups. So you can set a threshold time as well as a distance, and only change the recorded position if the new position is changed for more than the threshold time ( or for more than some number of message groups ).

Another approach is to read also the GPS speed, which is measured by a totally different system than the position. Only change the position when both the position threshold is exceeded, and the current speed is above some threshold.

That tends to iron out almost all of the jumps.

JC · Joined: 15 Dec 2007 Posts: 586 Location: Cleveland, OH

Also, make sure your GPS hasn't lost 3D GPS lock. When the signals are "weak" your GPS might switch to 2D mode, or totally lose lock.
You might chose to ignore any positions that are reported with les than 3D lock, or you might increase your threshold for believing there was a real change in position.

JC

snipsnip · Joined: 10 Feb 2014 Posts: 74 Location: Melbourne

nicofer · Joined: 01 May 2013 Posts: 90 Location: GRJ

Hi
Regarding the pcb that was mentioned early January - well at last a few photos to show what is happening .
Sorry - wrong topic - tried to delete post

Cheers