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At least 811 records · Page 45

The role of autonomous satellite navigation in the NEEDS program

A number of applications of autonomous satellite navigation are discussed. They include the onboard annotation of all experimental data and the onboard correction of imaging data. The accuracy levels required for each function are presented. Two alternative techniques for achieving autonomous satellite navigation are considered. One technique utilizes data from the Global Positioning System (GPS). The other approach utilizes data from a geosynchronous relay satellite system such as the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS). The TDRSS approach makes use of one-way range and Doppler data along with a time transfer mechanism. Comparative accuracy levels for the onboard determination of position, velocity, and time based upon the GPS and TDRSS approaches are presented.

Fuchs, A. J.↗

Shuttle GPS R/PA configuration and specification study

Changes in the technical specifications for a global positioning system (GPS) receiving system dedicated to space shuttle use are presented. Various hardware functions including acquisition, tracking, and measurement are emphasized. The anti-jam performance of the baseline GPS systems are evaluated. Other topics addressed include: the impact on R/PA design of the use of ground based transmitters; problems involved with the use of single channel tests sets; utility of various R/PA antenna interconnections topologies; the choice of the averaging interval for delta range measurements; and the use of interferometry techniques for the computation of orbiter attitude were undertaken.

Booth, R. W. D.↗

Continued study of NAVSTAR/GPS for general aviation

A conceptual approach for examining the full potential of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) for the general aviation community is presented. Aspects of an experimental program to demonstrate these concepts are discussed. The report concludes with the observation that the true potential of GPS can only be exploited by utilization in concert with a data link. The capability afforded by the combination of position location and reporting stimulates the concept of GPS providing the auxiliary functions of collision avoidance, and approach and landing guidance. A series of general recommendations for future NASA and civil community efforts in order to continue to support GPS for general aviation are included.

Alberts, R. D.↗

Simulation of a navigator algorithm for a low-cost GPS receiver

The analytical structure of an existing navigator algorithm for a low cost global positioning system receiver is described in detail to facilitate its implementation on in-house digital computers and real-time simulators. The material presented includes a simulation of GPS pseudorange measurements, based on a two-body representation of the NAVSTAR spacecraft orbits, and a four component model of the receiver bias errors. A simpler test for loss of pseudorange measurements due to spacecraft shielding is also noted.

Hodge, W. F.↗

DOD program

User requirements for the NAVSTAR global positioning system are delineated from the point of view of the DOD. The system concept for NAVSTAR and the status of the program are discussed.

Gilbert, S.↗

NASA program

Areas of the NASA global positioning system (GPS) related programs including satellite/navigation tracking, shuttle applications, land/sea applications, and civil aviation applications are described. The development of technologies for the GPS such as high precision RNAV, a collision warning/avoidance system, and an automated position, velocity, identification reporting system is discussed.

Reid, H. J., Jr.↗

Application of satellite time transfer in autonomous spacecraft clocks

The conceptual design of a spacecraft clock that will provide a standard time scale for experimenters in future spacecraft., and can be sychronized to a time scale without the need for additional calibration and validation is described. The time distribution to the users is handled through onboard computers, without human intervention for extended periods. A group parallel binary code, under consideration for onboard use, is discussed. Each group in the code can easily be truncated. The autonomously operated clock not only achieves simpler procedures and shorter lead times for data processing, but also contributes to spacecraft autonomy for onboard navigation and data packetization. The clock can be used to control the sensor in a spacecraft, compare another time signal such as that from the global positioning system, and, if the cost is not a consideration, can be used on the ground in remote sites for timekeeping and control.

Chi, A. R.↗

Space shuttle navigation analysis. Volume 1: GPS aided navigation

Analytical studies related to space shuttle navigation are presented. Studies related to the addition of NAVSTAR Global Positioning System user equipment to the shuttle avionics suite are presented. The GPS studies center about navigation accuracy covariance analyses for both developmental and operational phases of GPS, as well as for various orbiter mission phases.

Matchett, G. A.↗

A navigation algorithm for single channel low-cost GPS receiver

A sequential navigation algorithm for a navigator using the Global Positioning System satellites is developed and tested for both noise-free and noisy system models. Data from a six-hour flight from California to Hawaii (C5A aircraft) simulates a true user to test the accuracy of the user's position for a sequential navigation system. For error reduction in the user's position in the sequential navigation system (considering 100 m as a maximum average error tolerated by any low-cost GPS user) an analysis of error sources in the sequential system has led to the use of range-ephemeris rate to translate ranges to a common point in time and to use velocity aiding at the time of a satellite disappearance. To reduce the user's position and velocity errors in a noisy navigation system an 'alpha-beta' two-pole filter is implemented whose optimum alpha is obtained experimentally. A user's position error of 73 m at noise range error of 30.48 (1sigma) is achieved.

Parsiani, H.↗

Alternative approach to multisensor navigation

An alternative to the Kalman filtering technique, based on logical rather than numerical techniques, is presented. It can be implemented on one or more microprocessors (with a fixed communications protocol between the individual microprocessors); requires only limited preprocessing of the input data; can have its constituent subsystem changed without major revision to the combiner as new or better navigation techniques, such as the global positioning system (GPS) or Loran-C, become available; and tolerates a wide variety of sensor, hardware, and software errors. The basic structure of the method and results of simulations of its performance in the presence of errors common to low-cost sensors (such as VOR or basic Omega) are presented, along with a discussion of possible extensions.

Cannon, M. J.↗

Civil Application of Differential GPS Using a Single Channel Sequential Receiver

The Global Positioning System (GPS) and its potential for area navigation, landing, and takeoff under minimum ceilings and advanced air traffic control operation is discussed. The following topics are reported: status of the GPS system; GPS signal availability for the civil community; alternative differential GPS concepts; predicted performance enhancement achievable with differential GPS and the operational improvements which will result; and a development program to test and evaluate differential GPS concepts, performance and operational procedures applicable to helicopters. Potential benefits which will be derived from helicopter use of GPS in the differential mode are identified.

Source record↗

The application of NAVSTAR Differential GPS to civil helicopter operations

Principles concerning the operation of the NAVSTAR Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are discussed. Selective availability issues concerning NAVSTAR GPS and differential GPS concepts are analyzed. Civil support and market potential for differential GPS are outlined. It is concluded that differential GPS provides a variation on the baseline GPS system, and gives an assured, uninterrupted level of accuracy for the civilian community.

Beser, J.↗

REFSAT/GPS breadboard: Test terminal hardware design report

All users of the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS) located within a rather large geographical area are currently required to perform a number of identical, common operations in order to accomplish a navigation "fix" (additional "location dependent" operations are also required). Under the REFSAT concept, the common operations are performed at a central location and results broadcast via a geostationary reference satellite (REFSAT). This concept allows a considerable reduction in the cost and complexity of individual civil user terminals. The hardware design of a REFSAT/GPS receiver terminal and the REFSAT transmitter simulator is described. Since six of the Phase 1 NAVSTAR GPS satellites are now operational a demonstration test plan utilizing the one-to-two hour per day viewing window is also described. Equipment check-out preliminary test results are presented.

Source record↗

A comparative analysis of GPS range, Doppler and interferometric observations for geodetic positioning

Geodetic positioning accuracies obtained from range, integrated Doppler and double differenced interferometric phase observations from a constellation of twenty-four Global Positioning System satellites are presented. It is demonstrated the GPS range and Doppler observations will provide sufficient accuracy for the estimation of geodetic coordinates. However the instability of the receiver atomic oscillator will limit the usefulness of these observations in providing rapid first-order baseline determination. Interferometric phase measurements twice differenced to eliminate clock error appear as an alternate procedure for providing such accuracies.

Fell, P. J.↗

Design approach for a microprocessor-based GPS time transfer receiver

The design concept and characteristics of a self-contained microprocessor-based Global Positioning System time transfer receiver is described. A prototype of this unit is currently in the test phase. It employs two-bit digital baseband correlation rather than analog IF correlation of the signals with the reference code. The correlator, numerically controlled oscillators and code generator are implemented in a special-purpose digital signal processor. The time is recovered in the digital code tracking loop, and final corrections are applied in the control processor. Other features of this design are: (1) drift-free digital mechanization; (2) high reliability of digital circuits; (3) flexible control capability of the microprocessor; and (4) potential for a high degree of digital VLSI chip development leading to compact, low-cost units.

Ould, P. C.↗

Long term frequency stability analysis of the GPS NAVSTAR 6 Cesium clock

Time domain measurements, taken between the NAVSTAR 6 Spacecraft Vehicle (SV) and the Vandenberg Global Positioning System (GPS) Monitor Site, by a pseudo random noise receiver, were collected over an extended period of time and analyzed to estimate the long term frequency stability of the NAVSTAR 6 onboard frequency standard, referenced to the Vandenberg MS frequency standard. The technique employed separates the clock offset from the composite signal by first applying corrections for equipment delays, ionospheric delay, tropospheric delay, Earth rotation and the relativistic effect. The data are edited and smoothed using the predicted SV ephemeris to calculate the geometric delay. Then all available passes from each of the four GPS monitor stations, are collected at 1-week intervals and used to calculate the NAVSTAR orbital elements. The procedure is then completed by subtracting the corrections and the geometric delay, using the final orbital elements, from the composite signal, thus leaving the clock offset and random error.

Mccaskill, T. B.↗

The application of NAVSTAR differential GPS in the civilian community

The NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS), currently being developed by the DOD, is a space based navigation system that will provide the user with precise position, velocity, and time information on a 24 hour basis, in all weather conditions and at any point on the globe. The baseline GPS system will provide guaranteed high accuracy to only a limited number of users, mostly the military. The civilian community has to devise a variation of this system to allow for an assured, uninterrupted level of accuracy. Differential GPS provides such a capability. In connection with the conceived possibility of the use of GPS by an enemy, it is found to be necessary to implement a selective availability technical capability. Differential GPS provides an approach for the civilian community to have a guaranteed level of accuracy better than the 250 meters presently planned for GPS.

Beser, J.↗