Kalman Filter as Tool for the Real-time Detection of Fast Displacements by the Use of Low-cost GPS Receivers

In this paper the problem of landslide monitoring and deformation analysis using the Kalman filter and results obtained from a GPS mass-market receiver in real-time is addressed. Landslide monitoring and deformation analysis are relevant aspects about the safety of human life in any terrain where landslides can impact human activity. It is therefore necessary to monitor these effects in order to detect and prevent these risks. Very often, most of this type of monitoring is carried out by using traditional topographic instruments (e.g. total stations) or satellite techniques such as GNSS receivers, and many experiments were carried out considering these types of mass-market instruments. In this context it is fundamental to detect whether or not deformation exists, in order to predict future displacement. Filtering means are essential to process the diverse noisy measurements (especially if low cost sensors are considered) and estimate the parameters of interest. In this paper a particu lar version of Kalman Filter is considered in order to understand if there are any displacements from a statistical point of view in real time. The tests, the algorithm and results are herein reported.