Attitude determination utilizing an inertial measurement unit and a plurality of satellite transmitters

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 5757316
SERIAL NO

08790214

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ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

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Abstract

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The invention is a method for obtaining observables for input to a Kalman filter process which determines the attitude (roll, pitch, and heading) of a platform. The invention utilizes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) attached to the platform and an associated processor, a plurality of signal receiving antennas attached to the platform, and a plurality of satellite transmitters. The heading of the platform as determined by the IMU and its associated processor by themselves can be significantly in error. A comparison of the values of an attitude-sensitive function of the ranges from the platform antennas to different groupings of satellite transmitters obtained first by using IMU data and second by using the measured phases of the satellite-transmitter signals received at the platform antennas, a very accurate value for the range function is obtained. This accurate value of the range function is used in a Kalman filter process to obtain very accurate values for platform attitude.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION2980 FAIRVIEW PARK DRIVE FALLS CHURCH VA 22042-4511

International Classification(s)

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Buchler, Robert J Calabasas Park, CA 9 285

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