MALNUS DAPS: Indoor Positioning Without GNSS

Our Dismounted Assured PNT System (DAPS) provides accurate localisation in places where GNSS doesn’t work. It tracks personnel in underground facilities, warehouses, construction sites, and emergency scenarios with sub-meter error-rate.

The Problem

Existing inertial and pedestrian dead reckoning (PDR) systems accumulate errors over time. Without GNSS, even small heading errors cause 10m+ drift per kilometre. Traditional sensors also need separate, heavy radios to send data.

Our approach: We combine unique sensors previously untested for this purpose with automotive electronics and better algorithms to keep errors under 1m per kilometre (99.95% accuracy).

How our DAPS Works: Three-Layer Approach

  1. Foot-Mounted IMU with gait recognition

  2. Dual-Foot Geometric Lock

  3. Mesh Ranging Constellation

Key Advantages

The data link is built into our system, so there’s no extra weight or cost.

Bounded-Error Accuracy

We’re getting close to bounded-error accuracy (<0.5m per km / 0.05%) that holds for hours without GNSS. Our sensor fusion approach fixes the drift problem that affects other systems.

Decentralised Architecture

Our MANET radio reports position data in a decentralised network. Every user or device repeats messages, so connectivity stays up even when some links fail.

Applications

  • Industrial Facilities: Track workers in warehouses, manufacturing plants, and underground installations
  • Emergency Response: Locate first responders in buildings, tunnels, and disaster zones
  • Construction Sites: Monitor personnel and equipment in multi-story structures
  • Mining Operations: Track teams in underground environments where GNSS is unavailable
  • Healthcare Facilities: Patient and staff tracking in large hospital complexes
  • Smart Buildings: Personnel flow analysis and optimisation

Performance Specifications

  • Accuracy: <1m error per kilometre travelled (99.95%)
  • Update Rate: Real-time position updates
  • Network Topology: Self-healing mesh with cooperative positioning
  • Environment: Indoor, underground, and GNSS-denied areas
  • Integration: Compatible with standard command and control systems and IoT platforms
  • Deployment: Foot-mounted, zero-configuration setup

How It Works

DAPS combines multiple sensor readings using our algorithm to eliminate drift, while keeping the hardware lightweight and affordable. The integrated mesh radio handles both communication and positioning—one device does both jobs.

Need indoor positioning for your facility? Contact us to discuss your requirements.