Research Areas

Geospatial Mapping and Navigation: Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), Inertial Navigation Systems (INS); Multi-sensor (such as Vision, LiDAR, Radar, GNSS, INS, UWB) integration for mapping, positioning and navigation. for applications in UAV/UAS/Autonomous vehicles, High-Definition (HD) maps; More details on the research activities at http://geospatial-mapping-and-navigation.net/

Research Students

 Since 2004 supervised 22 PhD students and 6 Master research students to completions.

 Seven PhD students won prestigious international student prizes during their PhD studies.

Students Project Areas:

• Global  Navigation Satellite Systems - GNSS (GPS, Glonass, Galileo, BeiDou System-BDS, QZSS, etc.) and Their Integration: for a variety of static and kinematic positioning modes to satisfy  a wide range of Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) applications. GPS  or GNSS is a core technology for modern geodetic control, cadastral and engineering surveying, topographic mapping, photogrammetry as well as  national and international geospatial reference frames.
• Multi-Sensor  Integration for Positioning, Mapping and Navigation:  a variety of sensors, such as, GPS/GNSS, INS, imaging/vision, laser, pseudo-satellites or pseudolites (PLs),   magnetometers, as well 3D maps, are optimally integrated in various   scenarios for positioning, geospatial mapping, navigation operations. For,  example, GNSS/INS/Vision integration is at the very core of any mobile    mapping systems based on various terrestrial      and airborne platforms, e.g., Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) based photogrammetric   mapping, being increasingly used for precision farming, mining, construction,   transport, environmental, geotechnical and structural monitoring.
• Statistical Theory and Its Applications in Positioning, Mapping and Navigation: Mathematical and stochastic modelling, advanced optimal estimation theory, statistical quality control, fault detection and identification, reliability theory, and integrity monitoring, with a focus on fundamental understanding of the statistical and geometric characteristics inherent within the measurements from various sensors. Such knowledge is then used to design robust modelling and quality control procedures for positioning, mapping and navigation systems.

Teaching Activities

Both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including invited lectures at international universities and summer schools. Over the years, averaged student course/teaching evaluation above 90%. One of the student comments: “the lecturer (professor) is enthusiastic, clearly enjoying the subject matters – this is very motivating for the class!”

Courses and subject topics taught

• Surveying computations
• Geodesy and geospatial reference frames (including map projections, 3D point cloud, etc.)
• Optimal estimation (including least squares, filtering, network adjustments, etc.)
• Precise GPS/GNSS positioning and geodetic control
• Modern geodesy and applications
• Geo-positioning/mapping/navigation (including sensor integration, GNSS/INS/LiDAR/Camera, etc.) 
• Surveying in building and constructions 
• Capstone thesis or field projects, with example topics: geospatial Metaverse, Digital Twins; High-Definition (HD) Map for automated driving, 3D reality capture with LiDAR, Building Information Modelling (BIM), AI/Machine Learning in Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), Environmental monitoring with geodetic methods; Traffic monitoring with UAV/UAS, Photogrammetric mapping; UWB based positioning, etc.