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A GPS Attitude Determination System

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 October 2009

Gregory J. Wilson  and
Jeffrey D. Tonnemacher
Gregory J. Wilson
Affiliation:
(Trimble Navigation Limited)
Jeffrey D. Tonnemacher
Affiliation:
(Trimble Navigation Limited)
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Abstract

In 1991 Trimble Navigation introduced a Global Positioning System (Gps)-based attitude determination receiver capable of 3-axis solutions with accuracy to several milliradians for airborne, sea and land platforms. This paper discusses the physical, architectural, and operational features of this receiver system. Analysis of system performance will also be reviewed for various configurations and user applications. The Trimble Navigation attitude determination receiver uses differential carrier phase techniques to determine azimuth, pitch and roll angles of a 3-antenna array. This product is designed to operate in a variety of user applications and to withstand rugged operating environments. Trimble Navigation has expanded its proven GPS sensor architecture to incorporate three independent RF sections and additional processing channels to measure and process the differential phase between antennas on two orthogonal baselines. Direct measurement of differential phase utilizing a common local oscillator provides highly accurate relative phase data. The navigation and attitude processor computes azimuth, pitch, and roll angles as well as position, velocity and time. The solution accuracy and stability statistics are sensitive to various parameters. Antenna baseline length, signal multipath, platform dynamics and filtering are investigated. Test data from static and various dynamic platforms are also presented.

Keywords

1. Satellite navigation2. Heading references3. Attitude references
Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Navigation , Volume 45 , Issue 2 , May 1992 , pp. 192 - 204
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal Institute of Navigation 1992

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References

REFERENCES

1KruczynskiL. R., Li, P. C L. R., Li, P. C, Evans, A. G. and Hermann, B. R. (1989). Using GPS to determine vehicle attitude: USS Yorktown test results. Proceedings, 2nd International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of the Institute of Navigation (ION GPS-89), Colorado Springs, CO, September 27–29.Google Scholar
2Nesbo, I. (1988). Applications of GPS-determined attitude for navigation, Proc, First International Technical Meeting of the Institute of Navigation's Satellite Division: GPS-88, Colorado Springs, CO, September.Google Scholar
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