INSTINCT: a flow-based open-source PNT framework for satellite navigation and sensor fusion

INS toolkit for integrated navigation concepts and training (INSTINCT) is an open-source positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) framework for global navigation satellite system (GNSS) navigation and sensor fusion written in C++. It uses flow-based programming to encapsulate functionality, enforce...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:GPS solutions Vol. 29; no. 4; p. 171
Main Authors: Topp, Thomas, Maier, Marcel, Hobiger, Thomas, Becker, Doris
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.10.2025
Springer Nature B.V
Subjects:
Accuracy
Algorithms
Atmospheric Sciences
Automotive Engineering
Datasets
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth Sciences
Electrical Engineering
Geophysics/Geodesy
Global navigation satellite system
Global positioning systems
GPS
Graphical user interface
Inertial navigation
Inertial platforms
Kalman filters
Kinematics
Navigation systems
Open source software
Rapid prototyping
Real time
Sensors
Software
Space Exploration and Astronautics
Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics
User interface
Inertial measurement unit (IMU)
Sensor fusion
Flow-based programming
Real-time kinematic (RTK)
Open source
Multi global navigation satellite system (GNSS)
ISSN:1080-5370, 1521-1886
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:INS toolkit for integrated navigation concepts and training (INSTINCT) is an open-source positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) framework for global navigation satellite system (GNSS) navigation and sensor fusion written in C++. It uses flow-based programming to encapsulate functionality, enforce clean interfaces and promote reusability. Not only multi-constellation, multi-frequency single point positioning (SPP) and real-time kinematic positioning (RTK) algorithms are available, but also inertial navigation system (INS)/GNSS sensor fusion. Moreover, innovative concepts like multi inertial measurement unit (IMU) arrays and factor graph optimization are featured. Furthermore, most file formats common in the PNT field can be read with the software and converted between them. Also, simulation of trajectories and IMU data with different error models is possible. A graphical user interface allows the user to directly set parameters and analyze results in plots, which enables rapid prototyping and testing. A developer can easily extend the functionality with own algorithms and sensor interfaces building upon the existing modules. In order to evaluate the performance of the algorithms two experiments were performed. Analysis of a static dataset shows that the position accuracy of the RTK algorithm of INSTINCT is comparable to RTKLIB. Additionally, a dynamic dataset was generated using a Spirent GNSS simulator and INSTINCT’s IMU simulation capabilities. In-depth assessment confirms the high accuracy of the results and demonstrates that the INS/GNSS loosely coupled Kalman filter can compensate for GNSS outages.
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ISSN:1080-5370
1521-1886
DOI:10.1007/s10291-025-01927-4