Research and experimental validation of the method for barometric altimeter aid GPS in challenged environment

GPS signal interruption can be result from shading of the antenna by buildings or mountains in challenged environment, therefore unable to accurately positioning. The positioning accuracy in the vertical direction is often challenged in comparison with the one in the horizontal plane. Additional barometric altimeter are therefore used to overcome the above effects and enhance availability and accuracy. This paper explores the possibility of using barometric altimeter as an augmentation GPS in challenged environment, with analysis of the characteristics of the barometric altimeter and optimize the calibration method. A prototype system, composed of a commercial GPS receiver with barometric altimeter, is implemented and described. In addition, the preliminary investigation of the barometric altimeter is addressed. With the field experimental data collected from a car-driving test in a hilly region, the benefit of barometric altimeter aiding is demonstrated.