Instantaneous GPS attitude determination

A procedure for instantaneous GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) attitude determination, i.e., a solution for the GPS integrated carrier Doppler wavelength ambiguities using only measurements at a single epoch, is described. Most previous techniques to solve the phase ambiguity problem have required some form of time history processing relying on GPS satellite and/or user motion to provide enough geometry change to eliminate false solutions. The algorithm described assumes three noncollinear antennas and integrated carrier Doppler measurements from four or more satellites. Double-difference processing provides at least three independent observables for the two antenna separation vectors to compute the three attitude Euler angles     

Geometric voting algorithm for star trackers

We present an algorithm for recovering the orientation (attitude) of a satellite-based camera. The algorithm matches stars in an image taken with the camera to stars in a star catalogue. The algorithm is based on a geometric voting scheme in which a pair of stars in the catalogue votes for a pair of stars in the image if the angular distance between the stars of both pairs is similar. As angular distance is a symmetric relationship, each of the two catalogue stars votes for each of the image stars. The identity of each star in the image is set to the identity of the catalogue star that cast the most votes. Once the identity of the stars is determined, the attitude of the camera is computed using a quaternion-based method. We further present a fast tracking algorithm that estimates the attitude for subsequent images after the first algorithm has terminated successfully. Our method runs in comparable speed to state of the art algorithms but is still more robust than them. The system has been implemented and tested on simulated data and on real sky images.     

Spacecraft spin axis attitude determination

A mathematical formulation of the spacecraft spin axis attitude determination problem in the form of a norm constrained-least-squares minimization problem is provided. The formulation has a mathematically transparent interpretation as a search for the optimal unit vector on the surface of the unit sphere. Two algorithms are developed and compared by simulation. The results show a tradeoff between estimation accuracy and computational requirements. One algorithm is about three times more accurate than the other and is therefore recommended even though it requires about 20% more in computer storage and operations, and about 50% more in central processing unit time     

Coarse attitude determination from Earth albedo measurements

Attitude estimation algorithms for the Thrusted Vector Mission which determine attitude based on Sun sensor and very coarse albedo sensor measurements are presented. On the basis of these measurements, it has been demonstrated by comparison with more accurate gyro-based attitude that it is possible to estimate three-axis attitude with an average error per axis of 11 deg. Most of this error is about the Sun direction. Both deterministic quick-look and optimal estimates are examined     

Joint sensor registration and track-to-track fusion for distributed trackers

Sensor registration deals with the correction of registration errors and is an inherent problem in all multisensor tracking systems. Traditionally, it is viewed as a least squares or a maximum likelihood problem independent of the fusion problem. We formulate it as a Bayesian estimation problem where sensor registration and track-to-track fusion are treated as joint problems and provide solutions in cases 1) when sensor outputs (i.e., raw data) are available, and 2) when tracker outputs (i.e., tracks) are available. The solution to the latter problem is of particular significance in practical systems as band limited communication links render the transmission of raw data impractical and most of the practical fusion systems have to depend on tracker outputs rather than sensor outputs for fusion. We then show that, under linear Gaussian assumptions, the Bayesian approach leads to a registration solution based on equivalent measurements generated by geographically separated radar trackers. In addition, we show that equivalent measurements are a very effective way of handling sensor registration problem in clutter. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm adequately estimates the biases, and the resulting central-level trucks are free of registration errors.     

Rapid Star Tracking Algorithm for Star Sensor

A rapid star tracking algorithm is proposed. In order to speed up the tracking, three techniques includng parallel star centroiding, sorting, and star catalogue partition are designed for three time-consuming portions in tracking algorithms. The parallel star centroiding is implemented with Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) which avoid image storage and transmission. Update rate of star sensor is improved. Sorting star coordinates in star image plane, and then matching, which avoid matching between stars with a long distance in image plane. Star catalogue partition divides the celestial sphere into many small partitions. In star mapping, guide stars are searched in the partitions near the direction of star sensor's boresight is not in the whole celestial sphere and therefore reduced the total number of searched guide stars. The software and hardware performance of tracking algorithms are simulated. Tracking robustness and the tracking speed comparison are tested in the software simulation. In hardware tests, the tracking time in every step is obtained.     

双星定位系统定姿的建模与仿真研究

以卫星模拟器为基础,介绍了一种双星定位系统定姿的基本原理,以卫星模拟器作为基准得出对应的三个双差观测方程,并且应用长短基线法和序列优化法求解整周模糊度,仿真结果表明,应用双星定位系统进行定姿是可行的.     

Euler angle dilution of precision in GPS attitude determination

The geometric dilution of precision (GDOP) is a useful parameter that indicates the effectiveness of the GPS satellite geometry on the positional navigation performance. In this work, the concept of the dilution of precision is extended to the attitude navigation solution. A new set of parameters, referred to as the Euler angle dilution of precision (EADOP), is defined. The validity and the usefulness of the new parameters are verified through simulations. Two scenarios involving a stationary platform and a moving platform are investigated. The results show that the EADOP is a good indication of the expected accuracy of the Euler angle estimates     

去西班牙看海!

西班牙位于欧州大陆西南端的伊比利亚半岛,东海岸和东南海岸滨临地中海,北部滨临比斯开湾,西海岸和西南海岸则滨临大西洋,海岸沿线处处景色迷人。在这里全年至少有300天可以享受到阳光的照耀,而且温度总是在18至30摄氏度之间,气候宜人。     

Accuracy performance of star trackers - a tutorial

An autonomous star tracker is an avionics instrument used to provide the absolute 3-axis attitude of a spacecraft utilizing star observations. It consists of an electronic camera and associated processing electronics. The processor has the capability to perform star identification utilizing an internal star catalog stored in firmware and to calculate the attitude quaternion autonomously. Relevant parameters and characteristics of an autonomous star tracker are discussed in detail     

Star-configuration searching for satellite attitude computation

A star pattern recognition algorithm is described which recovers attitude information by processing data obtained from a modular star sensor (MOSS) mounted on a spacecraft information is obtained by matching the stars detected by the MOSS with those inside a stellar catalogue. The system performance has been evaluated both from the point of view of computation time and error probability. The effect of errors in the MOSS measurements and multiple matches cases are also discussed     

Accuracy of Star Occultation Measurements for Satellite Navigation

To determine the orbital parameters of a satellite using star occultations, it is necessary to measure the intensity of stars as they occult. The accuracy of the intensity measurements is reduced by interfering sources of light and internal noise, and is expressed in terms of the magnitude of various sources of interference. Subsequently, a specific system is analyzed in detail. Moonlit cloud tops introduce the largest systematic error. Photon noise from the star radiation, airglow, and moonlit cloud tops are the largest sources of random errors.     

Sliding-mode controller design for spacecraft attitude trackingmaneuvers

A robust sliding-mode control law that deals with spacecraft attitude tracking problems is presented. Two important natural properties related to the spacecraft model of motion are discussed. It is shown that by using these properties and the second method of Lyapunov theory, the system stability in the sliding mode can be easily achieved. The success of the sliding-mode controller and its robustness relating to uncertainties are illustrated by an example of multiaxial attitude tracking maneuvers     

悲剧明星王汉伦

简介:王汉伦(1903年～1978年),女,出生于江苏省苏州市,原名彭琴士,字剑青。从1924年起,出演了《玉梨魂》、《苦儿弱女》、《弃妇》、《摘星之女》、《春闺梦里人》、《一个小工人》、《电影女明星》、《空门贤媳》及《好寡妇》等10余部电影,在上世纪20年代被誉为"中国第一代悲剧女明星",红极一时。上世纪20年代,上海电影界里出现了第一位被同行称为"电影明星"的     

Modified Grid Algorithm for Noisy All-Sky Autonomous Star Identification

Grid algorithm is a classical algorithm for all-sky autonomous star identification. However its recognition rate decreases rapidly when the position and magnitude noise increases in the star image. In order to overcome this problem, a modified grid algorithm called the "elastic gray grid algorithm" is proposed. Gray pattern and elastic template matching are introduced into the grid algorithm to enhance its ability to tolerate the position and magnitude noise. Experimental results show that the modified grid algorithm performs better compared with the original one. The elastic gray grid algorithm reached up to a 100% recognition rate under random positional noise in our test bed. Furthermore it increases the original recognition rate from 69.86% to 97%, under the same condition, for both the position and the magnitude noise.     

Star recognition algorithm for APS star tracker: oriented triangles

An efficient star pattern recognition algorithm is presented. The purpose of this algorithm is to make sure of the compatibility of the software and the imaging sensor noise level. The new CMOS APS sensors have not currently reached the same accuracy as the former CCD sensors in position as well as in magnitude determination, especially in the dynamic stages. This algorithm allows the system to recognize the star pattern 20% faster than with reference algorithms. No false recognition has been noticed. Used databases have a size 5 to 10 times smaller, depending on other reference algorithms. Oriented triangles are used to compare the measured star pattern with the catalogue stars. The triangle's characterization criteria propose several solutions in a first time. A unique solution is selected by means of identification and validation methods in a second time. First results, presented hereinafter, are very encouraging, and this algorithm may be used in the future APS star trackers. APS star tracker robustness is significantly enhanced by this method during the critical navigation phases     

透视星空联盟发展历程

世界三大航空联盟--星空、天合、寰宇一家--最近分别与国内航空三大巨头频繁接触,希望将各自的触角延伸至中国境内.目前,除南方航空公司已与天合联盟签订了框架协议外,其他两家航空公司与航空联盟的合作还充满着变数.本刊从本期起,将分别对此三家航空联盟的发展历程进行介绍.     

Thruster design for position/attitude control of spacecraft

The objective of this work is to design the configuration of thrusters and valves of a propulsion system which should reject external and internal perturbations to control position and attitude of a spacecraft. As has been proved in a previous paper by Pena et al. (see ibid., vol. 36, no. 3, 2000), there exist configurations of 6 thrusters which can achieve this task, even under the failure of any one of them. Nevertheless, that previous result only presents analysis conditions and furthermore its implementation would demand also 6 valves, one for each thruster. Here we propose a design method that can solve the aforementioned problem with 6 thrusters/3 valves.     

Adaptive robust cubature Kalman filtering for satellite attitude estimation

This paper is concerned with the adaptive robust cubature Kalman filtering problem for the case that the dynamics model error and the measurement model error exist simultaneously in the satellite attitude estimation system. By using Hubel-based robust filtering methodology to correct the measurement covariance formulation of cubature Kalman filter, the proposed filtering algorithm could effectively suppress the measurement model error. To further enhance this effect and reduce the impact of the dynamics model error, two different adaptively robust filtering algorithms, one with the optimal adaptive factor based on the estimated covariance matrix of the predicted residuals and the other with multiple fading factors based on strong tracking algorithm, are developed and applied for the satellite attitude estimation. The quaternion is employed to represent the global attitude parameter, and three-dimensional generalized Rodrigues parameters are introduced to define the local attitude error. A multiplicative quaternion error is derived from the local attitude error to maintain quaternion normalization constraint in the filter. Simulation results indicate that the proposed novel algorithm could exhibit higher accuracy and faster convergence compared with the multiplicative extended Kalman filter, the unscented quaternion estimator, and the adaptive robust unscented Kalman filter.     

MS-21:俄罗斯民用航空工业新的希望

雅科夫列夫设计局在2003年赢得了俄罗斯近中程干线飞机的初步研发合同,并在雅克-242飞机的基础上推出了MS-21客机。伊留申航空综合体、伊尔库特公司和“伊留申金融”租赁公司参与了这一项目。MS-21预计于2012年交付用户。