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Course · 300 h · 5 modules
Course in GPS-Free Underwater Navigation and Localisation
The Course in GPS-Free Underwater Navigation and Localisation Prepares you to tackle one of the great challenges in marine robotics: knowing where a vehicle is underwater, where GPS signals cannot reach. You will study inertial na
Duration300 h
FormatOnline
Starts14 December
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
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Programme overview
What is the Course in GPS-Free Underwater Navigation and Localisation?
The Course in GPS-Free Underwater Navigation and Localisation
Prepares you to tackle one of the great challenges in marine robotics: knowing where a vehicle is underwater, where GPS signals cannot reach. You will study inertial navigation and dead reckoning with a DVL, LBL and USBL acoustic positioning systems, sensor fusion with Kalman filters, underwater SLAM and seabed map-based navigation, with practical examples and simulation that show how these techniques are combined in real vehicles.
Key advantages
- A key problem: Localisation underpins every underwater mission.
- Real sensors: INS, DVL, depth sensors, compasses and acoustic systems.
- Sensor fusion: Kalman filters explained through examples.
- Advanced techniques: SLAM and terrain-aided navigation.
- Case study: Designing the navigation system of an underwater vehicle.
Programme type
Course
Study mode
Online
Duration
300 hours
Modules
5
Programme highlights
- Understand the problem: See why there is no GPS underwater.
- Combine sensors: Integrate INS, DVL and acoustics.
- Filter the noise: Apply Kalman filters.
- Use the environment: Learn about underwater SLAM.
- Boost your career: Apply your skills at robotics, offshore and oceanographic organisations.
- Train to make sure robots always know where they are, even in the darkness of the ocean.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 5 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
The Underwater Navigation Problem
- Signal attenuation in water
- Reference frames and coordinates
- Sources of navigation error
- Requirements by mission type
- Overview of solutions
02
Inertial Navigation and Dead Reckoning
- Inertial sensors
- Dead reckoning
- Doppler velocity log (DVL)
- Depth sensors and compasses
- Drift and error growth
03
Acoustic Positioning
- Sound propagation in water
- Long baseline systems
- Ultra-short baseline systems
- Navigation with surface beacons
- Calibration and error sources
04
Sensor Fusion and Filtering
- Estimation fundamentals
- The Kalman filter
- The extended Kalman filter
- Integrating asynchronous sensors
- Performance evaluation
05
SLAM and Terrain-Aided Navigation
- Navigation using bathymetric maps
- Sonar-based SLAM
- Visual SLAM in clear water
- Cooperative navigation
- Case study: designing a vehicle’s navigation system
Workload
Study Time and Workload
300 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
Telecoms, electronic or computer engineers: who want to specialise in underwater navigation Robotics developers: who work with marine vehicles Hydrographic and offshore technicians: who operate positioning systems ROV pilots and AUV operators: who want to understand their systems better Robotics researchers: interested in localisation and SLAM
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
Verified reviews
Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Understand the underwater constraints
- 02Know the navigation sensors
- 03Apply acoustic positioning
- 04Fuse information
- 05Understand underwater SLAM
- 06Design navigation systems
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Underwater navigation engineer: Designing and integrating systems.
02Robotics software developer: Localisation algorithms.
03Offshore positioning technician: Operating acoustic systems.
04Vehicle test engineer: Validating navigation performance.
Questions
Entry Requirements
A programming background is recommended to follow the sensor fusion examples.
Only what is needed to understand the filters, explained step by step.
Yes. You work with public underwater vehicle datasets and simulation.
No. It is a specialist institutional qualification and does not replace industry certifications.
Designing the navigation system of an underwater vehicle for a specific mission.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, live sessions that are recorded, and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme involves 300 hours of study. You can work at your own pace within the timetable we give you when you enrol.
Each programme has its own start date, shown on this page and confirmed by our admissions team when you enquire.
On completing the programme you receive the Course in GPS-Free Underwater Navigation and Localisation qualification awarded by Navalis Magna Institute.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Entry profile: University studies or professional experience in engineering, physics, robotics, hydrography or offshore operations. Language: A good working level of English to follow classes and materials. Technical requirements: A computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a webcam for live sessions and project presentations. Admissions process: Online application, profile review and a short interview with the academic team. We confirm your start date when you enquire.
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Leave your details and admissions will write back. If you already know this is the one, go straight to the application and pay in the same session.