Gimballess Inertial Navigation Systems. Semi- Annual Progress Report, 1 Nov. 1964 - 30 Apr. 1965
Accelerometers for sensing angular velocity in gimballess inertial navigation system
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Accelerometers for sensing angular velocity in gimballess inertial navigation system
The results of a study of test data taken on the simplex strapdown navigation system were presented. That system consisted of the following components: strapdown platform, altimeter, digital computer, tape recorder, typewriter, and power source. The objective of these tests was to isolate error sources which may cause degradation of the system's accuracy and to recommend appropriate changes to the system test procedures or computer software. The following recommendations were made: (1) addition of a gyro compassing alignment program into the navigation program, (2) addition of line drivers at the signal processor end of the transmission line, (3) need for extensive laboratory testing to determine sensor misalignments, biases, and scale factors, (4) need to stabilize the power source to prevent transients during power transfer, (5) need to isolate and eliminate the source of the large noise inputs.
A helicopter flight test program undertaken to evaluate the performance of Tetrad (a strap down, laser gyro, inertial navigation system) is described. The results of 34 flights show a mean final navigational velocity error of 5.06 knots, with a standard deviation of 3.84 knots; a corresponding mean final position error of 2.66 n. mi., with a standard deviation of 1.48 n. mi.; and a modeled mean position error growth rate for the 34 tests of 1.96 knots, with a standard deviation of 1.09 knots. No laser gyro or accelerometer failures were detected during the flight tests. Off line parity residual studies used simulated failures with the prerecorded flight test and laboratory test data. The airborne Tetrad system's failure--detection logic, exercised during the tests, successfully demonstrated the detection of simulated ""hard'' failures and the system's ability to continue successfully to navigate by removing the simulated faulted sensor from the computations. Tetrad's four ring laser gyros provided reliable and accurate angular rate sensing during the 4 yr of the test program, and no sensor failures were detected during the evaluation of free inertial navigation performance.
The algorithms and logic for use in the implementation of instrument landing system (ILS) localizer deviation signals for the generation of navigation and guidance information are presented. The navigation position estimates, based on range information from a randomly chosen distance measuring equipment (DME) and ILS localizer deviation information, are illustrated. The ILS volumetric coverage and DME geometric checks are described and their addition to area navigation systems with minimum software modification are discussed.
This report compiles and analyzes tests that were conducted to measure cell phone spurious emissions in the Global Positioning System (GPS) radio frequency band that could affect the navigation system of an aircraft. The cell phone in question had, as reported to the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), caused interference to several GPS receivers on-board a small single engine aircraft despite being compliant with data filed at the time with the FCC by the manufacturer. NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and industry tests show that while there is an emission in the 1575 MHz GPS band due to a specific combination of amplifier output impedance and load impedance that induces instability in the power amplifier, these spurious emissions (i.e., not the intentional transmit signal) are similar to those measured on non-intentionally transmitting devices such as, for example, laptop computers. Additional testing on a wide sample of different commercial cell phones did not result in any emission in the 1575 MHz GPS Band above the noise floor of the measurement receiver.
A status report is presented on a proposed low-cost Omega Navigation System (ONS) based on a microcomputer (Available commercially). Minimum hardware and maximum software are designed for. Electronic subsystems are discussed in detail, with block diagrams of the receiver and microcomputer interface modules, and a flowchart of the automatic synchronization process. The system is designed as a precision navaid for general aviation in the $1000 price range.
The present work deals with an undamped three-channel inertial-navigation-system error model. It is shown that it is possible to fully observe, and thus estimate, all the states of the system. This is in contrast to a previous two-channel system, in which it was impossible to fully observe and estimate all the states of the system. The conclusions of the analysis are verified through covariance simulation, which yields identical results.
Flight control and navigation instruments
The Mariner Jupiter/Saturn Mission is described with emphasis on the navigation problems arising in attempting a Jupiter/Saturn swingby mission which includes close encounters with one or more of the natural satellites of each planet. The navigation system being designed to solve these problems is described. This system includes sub-systems for precision trajectory correction. Earth-based radiometric data, and onboard star/satellite measurements via employment of the science-imaging TV sub-system. Total system performance is discussed as measured against the mission's inherent navigation goals.
Guidance and navigation system design for automatic stationkeeping one earth orbiting vehicle with respect to other
In this work the observability of an Inertial Navigation System (INS) during In-Flight Alignment (IFA) is investigated. A systematic approach to the observability analysis of a piece-wise constant system is presented and its use is justified mathematically. As a tool for the investigation a Stepped Observability Matrix (SOM) is constructed and a corresponding Stepped Space is defined. The INS error model is transformed into the Stepped Space during a specially chosen IFA trajectory and a full observability is carried out. The results of the mathematical analysis are checked against the results of covariance simulation and a full agreement is found between the two. Finally, the practical implications of this analysis are outlined.
An inertial navigation system is described and analyzed based on two two-degree-of-freedom Schuler-gyropendulums and one two-degree-of-freedom azimuth gyro. The three sensors, each base motion isolated about its two input axes, are mounted on a common base, strapped down to the vehicle. The up and down pointing spin vectors of the two properly tuned gyropendulums track the vertical and indicate physically their velocity with respect to inertial space. The spin vector of the azimuth gyro is pointing northerly parallel to the earth axis. The system can be made self-aligning on a stationary base. If external measurements for the north direction and the vertical are available, initial disturbance torques can be measured and easily biased out. The error analysis shows that the system is practicable with today's technology.
Increasing attention is being given to the problem of erroneous measurement data for multisensor navigation systems. A recursive estimator can be used in conjunction with a 'snapshot' batch estimator to provide fault detection and isolation (FDI) for these systems. A recursive estimator uses past system states to form a new state estimate and compares it to the calculated state based on a new set of measurements. A 'snapshot' batch estimator uses a set of measurements collected simultaneously and compares solutions based on subsets of measurements. The 'snapshot' approach requires redundant measurements in order to detect and isolate faults. FDI is also referred to as Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM).
A dual comet (Hall Flyby/Tempel 2 Rendezvous) mission, making use of the solar electric propulsion system, is under consideration for a 1985 launch. This paper describes the preliminary navigation system design for this mission. Orbit determination and guidance strategies for each mission phase are discussed. Navigation accuracy analyses and parametric senstivity studies for the Tempel 2 rendezvous approach phase are presented.
The current status of research on a proposed micro-computer-based, low-cost Omega Navigation System (ONS) is described. The design approach emphasizes minimum hardware, maximum software, and the use of a low-cost, commercially-available microcomputer. Currently under investigation is the implementation of a low-cost navigation processor and its interface with an omega sensor to complete the hardware-based ONS. Sensor processor functions are simulated to determine how many of the sensor processor functions can be handled by innovative software. An input data base of live Omega ground and flight test data was created. The Omega sensor and microcomputer interface modules used to collect the data are functionally described. Automatic synchronization to the Omega transmission pattern is described as an example of the algorithms developed using this data base.
The Deep Space-1 (DS-1) mission to be launched in 1998 will use an autonomous navigation system to guide the spacecraft on a low thrust trajectory to flybys of an asteriod and a comet.
A general simulation program is presented (GSP) involving nonlinear state estimation for space vehicle flight navigation systems. A complete explanation of the iterative guidance mode guidance law, derivation of the dynamics, coordinate frames, and state estimation routines are given so as to fully clarify the assumptions and approximations involved so that simulation results can be placed in their proper perspective. A complete set of computer acronyms and their definitions as well as explanations of the subroutines used in the GSP simulator are included. To facilitate input/output, a complete set of compatable numbers, with units, are included to aid in data development. Format specifications, output data phrase meanings and purposes, and computer card data input are clearly spelled out. A large number of simulation and analytical studies were used to determine the validity of the simulator itself as well as various data runs.
A spread-spectrum radio-beacon navigation system for use on the lunar surface is described. The subjects discussed are principle of operation and specifications to include power requirements, operating frequencies, weight, size, and range.