Comparison of WiFi FTM, GNSS, and Lighthouse for relative UAV 3D positioning

Creating accurate and reliable 3D positioning for UAVs in complex environments is a critical challenge. While technologies like WiFi FTM, GNSS, and LASER-based positional tracking — like Valves Lighthouse — offer promising solutions, their performance in dynamic and obstructed scenarios—such as urban canyons, dense forests, or indoor spaces—remains varies a lot. Real-world testing is essential to evaluate their accuracy, latency, and robustness under varying conditions, such as signal interference, multipath effects, and environmental noise.
Real-world validation of UAV positioning systems requires comparing these technologies in controlled yet realistic settings. WiFi FTM provides sub-meter precision for short-range indoor navigation, while GNSS excels in open environments but struggles with signal blockage.

Goals of the thesis

The goal of this thesis is to conduct a comparative analysis of WiFi FTM, GNSS, and Lighthouse for UAV 3D positioning through real-world testing. By collecting empirical data from controlled experiments, the project will evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each technology in scenarios like urban environments, indoor spaces, and dynamic obstacles. The final goal is to evaluate the performance of WiFi FTM for relative 3D positioning of UAVs.

Requirements

• Experience with C++ and micro controller programming

Contact

• J. Bigge
• C. Sommer