Attitude determination with GPS: experimental results

An approach to global positioning system (GPS) attitude determination and the results of an experimental evaluation are presented. The most outstanding features of the method are the fundamental observable used for attitude calculation, the triple difference, and the introduction of a new parameter, the differential dilution of precision (DDOP), which relates the GPS satellite geometry to the GPS accuracy when measuring angular magnitudes. The experiment used two commercial off-the-shelf GPS C/A code receivers delivering integrated Doppler measurements. The algorithm is robust with respect to phase cycle slips and does not require solving the usual integer ambiguity of the measurements. The preliminary results show that absolute attitude determination requires a calibration of the baseline and that the relative attitude accuracy is on the order of 0.1° or 2 mrads for the case of a 2-m-long baseline     

Ambiguities in Spacebornene Synthetic Aperture Radar Systems

Several aspects of range and azimuth (time delay and Doppler) ambiguities in spaceborne synthetic aperture radars (SARs) are examined. An accurate method to evaluate the ratio of the intensities of the ambiguities to that of the signal is described. This method has been applied to the nominal SAR system on SEASAT and the variations of this ratio as a function of orbital latitude and attitude control error are discussed. It is also shown that the detailed range migration-azimuth phase history of an ambiguity is different from that of a signal. The images of ambiguities are, therefore, dispersed. Several examples of such dispersed images observed by the SEASAT SAR are presented. These dispersions are eliminated when the processing parameters are adjusted appropriately. Finally, a method is described which uses a set of multiple pulse repetition frequencies to determine the absolute values of the Doppler centroid frequencies for SARs with high carrier frequencies and relatively poor attitude measurements.     

GPS code and carrier multipath mitigation using a multiantennasystem

Multipath is a major source of error in high precision Global Positioning System (GPS) static and kinematic differential positioning. Multipath accounts for most of the total error budget in carrier phase measurements in a spacecraft attitude determination system. It is a major concern in reference stations, such as in Local Area Augmentation Systems (LAAS), whereby corrections generated by a reference station, which are based on multipath corrupted measurements, can significantly influence the position accuracy of differential users. Code range, carrier phase, and signal-to-noise (SNR) measurements are all affected by multipath, and the effect is spatially correlated within a small area. In order to estimate and remove code and carrier phase multipath, a system comprising a cluster of five GPS receivers and antennas is used at a reference station location. The spatial correlation of the receiver data, and the known geometry among the antennas, are exploited to estimate multipath for each satellite in each antenna in the system. Generic receiver code and carrier tracking loop discriminator functions are analyzed, and relationships between receiver data, such as code range, carrier phase, and SNR measurements, are formulated and related to various multipath parameters. A Kalman filter is described which uses a combination of the available information from the antennas (receivers) in the multiantenna cluster to estimate various multipath parameters. From the multipath parameters, the code range and carrier phase multipath is estimated and compensated. The technique is first tested on simulated data in a controlled multipath environment. Results are then presented using field data and show a significant reduction in multipath error     

平均场退火算法在GPS姿态确定中的应用

研究了基于GPS载波相位测量载体姿态的技术 ,采用了精度高速度快的平均场退火算法(MFANN)。MEFANN是竞争性的Hopfield神经网络和随机模拟退火算法结合起来的一种算法 ,用来求解最优姿态确定问题。首先阐述了GPS载波相位姿态测量基本原理 ,接下来建立了姿态测量系统数学模型 ,应用MFANN算法来解算整周模糊度和方位角 ,最后给出了应用MFANN方法求解的实例 ,说明该方法是有效的     

Preliminary Evaluation of GPS Performance for Low-Cost General Aviation

Preliminary results of a simulation effort to evaluate the requirements and feasibility of the global positioning system (GPS) as a civil air navigation system are presented. Evaluation is made of GPS requirements, from operational considerations, such as application to nonprecision approaches. The conceptual low-cost GPS receiver simulated here does not correct for the ionospheric or trophospheric delay, is sequential in nature, tracks only four satellites, and is not mechanized to make independent range rate measurements based on the Doppler shift of the GPS carrier frequency. The proposed GPS system has significantly different performance characteristics from the presently used VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) solidus distance-measuring equipment (DME) system. The GPS is a low signal level system and many have a relatively slow data rate due to the low-cost sequential receiver design. The results indicate that although the conceptual low-cost GPS receiver/ navigator is potentially more accurate than a VOR, the accuracy may degrade during aircraft turns and satellite shielding periods.     

基于小波变换的GPS载波相位周跳检测与修复

载波相位周跳检测与修复是实现GPS高精度定位的难点之一。小波变换具有空间局部性好的特点,本文利用小波变换把载波相位观测量分解为高频和低频分量,提出了利用小波系数局部极值点检测相位周跳的方法。基于载波相位和多普勒频率共同约束的埃尔米特多项式,外推周跳时刻载波相位,与观测值比较确定周跳的大小,从而修复周跳。利用飞机实际观测数据和仿真的高动态数据进行了计算,给出了计算结果,表明该方法可以对高动态情况下载波相位周跳进行准确探测和修复。     

一种改进的GPS动态定位滤波方法

针对GPS接收机能够测量卫星信号的多普勒频率的特性,亦即能够测量三维速度的特性,引入了一种改进的GPS定位系统滤波算法。首先,根据机动载体的"当前"统计模型建立了系统状态方程;然后,根据GPS接收机实际能够输出位置与速度信息的特点建立了系统的量测方程;最后,给出了标准的卡尔曼滤波算法模型并详细描述了算法的推导过程。仿真结果表明,改进算法相对于以前的算法无论是在精度和跟踪速度方面都有较大的提高。     

基于预测滤波器的GPS姿态估计

采用预测滤波器,利用全球定位系统的双差相位观测量实现载体姿态估计。该方法对初值的选取具有鲁棒性,可以在天线和可见星较少的情况下快速收敛到姿态精确解。仿真结果显示,该方法的姿态估计结果可以与基于非线性最小二乘的姿态估计结果相比拟,且受初值的影响小;采用双差相位测量比采用单差相位测量可以得到更佳的姿态估计效果;当使用三基线的天线阵时,在飞行机动较大的情况下采用近似正交布局的天线结构可以更好地估计姿态。     

Aperture error mitigation via local-state estimation for frequency-based emitter location

This paper considers the problem of locating a stationary coherent emitter via a single moving platform making frequency measurements in the presence of aperture state uncertainty. It is shown that the estimated emitter location is most sensitive to the receiving aperture velocity uncertainty. The required aperture velocity accuracy is determined through a noninfinitesimal perturbation analysis. A solution to location accuracy enhancement with a minimal hardware addition is attempted. It is shown that this can be achieved by mounting a high-resolution tri-axis microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) accelerometer at the aperture to measure its velocity, which can deviate significantly from that estimated by the on-board navigation system. The Doppler shifts of the GPS signal carrier frequency, whenever it can be acquired through the aperture, are also considered as a way to aid the aperture velocity measurement. A decentralized, federated processing method for the aperture velocity estimate referenced at the aperture, integrating all measurement data, is presented. An upper bound for the error of aperture velocity estimate is derived. The potential for significant accuracy enhancement for emitter location is demonstrated.     

Low C/N_0 Carrier Tracking Loop Based on Optimal Estimation Algorithm in GPS Software Receivers

Suppressing jitter noises in a phase locked loop(PLL) is of great importance in order to keep precise and continuous track of global positioning system(GPS) signals characterized by low carrier-to-noise ratio(C/N0).This article proposes and analyzes an improved Kalman-filter-based PLL to process weak carrier signals in GPS software receivers.After reviewing the optimal-bandwidth-based traditional second-order PLL,a Kalman-filter-based estimation algorithm is implemented for the new PLL by decorrelating the model error noises and the measurement noises.Finally,the efficiency of this new Kalman-filter-based PLL is verified by experimental data.Compared to the traditional second-order PLL,this new PLL is in position to make correct estimation of the carrier phase differences and Doppler shifts with less overshoots and noise disturbances and keeps an effective check on the disturbances out of jitter noises in PLL.The results show that during processing normal signals,this improved PLL reduces the standard deviation from 0.010 69 cycle to 0.007 63 cycle,and for weak signal processing,the phase jitter range and the Doppler shifts can be controlled within ±17° and ±5Hz as against ±25° and ±15 Hz by the traditional PLL.     

Measuring Aircraft Carrier Flexure in Support of Autonomous Aircraft Landings

This paper quantifies the experimental measurements of aircraft carrier flexure (deformation) at sea in support of the United States Department of Defense sea-based Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) that aims to deliver automatic landing capabilities to inbound aircraft aboard aircraft carriers. The methodology for measuring ship flexure using the Global Positioning System (GPS) and inertial sensors is described. Results indicate that flexure on the aircraft carrier used for testing has a standard deviation of approximately 1–2 cm. For the ship tested, the most significant flexure effects are in the port/starboard direction and correlate best with roll or lateral acceleration.     

Spacecraft attitude/rate estimation using vector-aided GPSobservations

A sequential filtering algorithm is presented for spacecraft attitude and attitude-rate estimation from Global Positioning System (GPS) differential carrier phase measurements. A third-order, minimal-parameter method for solving the attitude matrix kinematic equation is used to parameterize the state of the filter, which renders the resulting estimator computationally efficient. Borrowing from tracking theory concepts, the angular acceleration is modeled as an exponentially autocorrelated stochastic process, thus avoiding the use of the uncertain spacecraft dynamic model. The new formulation facilitates the use of aiding vector observations in a unified filtering algorithm, which can enhance the robustness and accuracy of the method. Numerical examples are used to demonstrate the performance of the method     

GPS载体姿态测量中的LAMBDA方法研究

研究了采用双基线方案测量载体的姿态,利用 GPS载波相位干涉测量基线矢量,引入 LAMBDA法解算整周模糊度,由 CPU时间图可以看出这种方法能快速而准确地解算整周模糊度,对于实时姿态测量(RAD)系统具有很好的应用价值。     

Autonomous GPS/INS navigation experiment for space transfer vehicle

An experiment is described to validate the concept of developing an autonomous integrated spacecraft navigation system using onboard Global Positioning System (GPS) and inertial navigation system (INS) measurements. Previous work by the authors (1988, 1990) has demonstrated the feasibility of integrating GPS measurements with INS measurements to provide a total improvement in spacecraft navigation performance, i.e., improvement in position, velocity and attitude information. An important aspect of this research is the automatic real-time reconfiguration capability of the system, which is designed to respond to changes in a spacecraft mission under the control of an expert system     

ATS-6 Interferometer

The Applications Technology Satellite-6 (ATS-6) RF interferometer is utilized primarily as a precision 3-axis attitude sensor having an unambiguous field of view of 350°. This function requires two separated ground transmitters, each using one of the two available frequency channels or sharing a single channel by time multiplexing. For 3-axis control, one uplink transmitter can provide 2-axis attitude (pitch and roll) with other sensors (e.g., a Polaris tracker) providing yaw attitude. By utilizing two uplink transmitters and the Earth sensor or three time multiplexed uplink transmitters, the interferometer can also provide measurements of ATS-6 spacecraft orbit position. Uplink frequencies are 6.150 and 6.155 GHz. The receiving antennas are spaced at 19.95 wavelengths (?) for the vernier baseline and 1.66 ? for the coarse baseline. Spacecraft system weight is 8.39 kg (18.5 lb) and power requirement is 15.5 W. Flight evaluation results are given for the interferometer including R F link budgets, modulation of uplink carrier, signal-to-noise ratio, and dropout behavior. A hardware calibration model is described, containing major biases in the phase measurements. Techniques for flight calibration as both an attitude and spacecraft position sensor are outlined . Flight testing has shown that on-line calibration of receiver/converter biases must be performed on a short term routine basis. Interferometer resolution was found to be 0.00140 space angle with negligible noise (jitter) at transmitted power levels above 72 dBW. As an attitude sensor, the interferometer has demonstrated the ability to provide stabilization to better than 0.     

SNR-based multipath error correction for GPS differential phase

Carrier phase multipath is currently the limiting error source for high precision Global Positioning System (GPS) applications such as attitude determination and short baseline surveying. Multipath is the corruption of the direct GPS signal by one or more signals reflected from the local surroundings. Multipath reflections affect both the carrier phase measured by the receiver and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). A technique is described which uses the SNR information to correct multipath errors in differential phase observations. The potential of the technique to reduce multipath to almost the level of receiver noise was demonstrated in simulations. The effectiveness on real data was demonstrated with controlled static experiments. Small errors remained, predominantly from high frequency multipath. The low frequency multipath was virtually eliminated. The remaining high frequency receiver noise can be easily removed by smoothing or Kalman filtering     

Attitude determination using dedicated and nondedicatedmultiantenna GPS sensors

We show that the use of nondedicated Global Positioning System (GPS) sensors to determine the attitude parameters of a vessel yields the same level of performance as the use of a dedicated multiantenna receiver, namely an agreement of the order of 0.1° (1σ). The test platform is a survey launch operating at cruising speeds of 10 to 15 kt. The dedicated multiantenna receiver is a four-antenna Ashtech 3DF unit, while the nondedicated sensor array consists of three NovAtel GPSCard^TM receivers. The approach used to resolve the relative carrier phase integer ambiguities between the antennas is discussed and the use of antenna baseline constraints is analyzed. A least-squares procedure which utilizes all the position information from the antennas for the estimation of the attitude parameters and their accuracy is presented. The attitude determination results from the two configurations tested are intercompared     

差分GPS载波相位测量整周模糊度的快速求解

对Cholesky分解整周模糊度的求解进行了改进,在求解整周模糊度的过程中,首先采用LAMBDA法对整周模糊度进行整数线性变换再作Cholesky分解,然后利用最优剪枝法（bestcut）对整周模糊度进行搜索,实验结果表明该方法具有快速搜索整周模糊度的能力,可以满足采用GPS载波相位测量确定姿态以及GPS载波相位测量与INS组合的实时性。     

An integrated GPS/MEMS-IMU navigation system for an autonomous helicopter

During the last years, there is an increasing demand for cheap and easy to operate platforms for surveillance and reconnaissance purposes. Therefore, the development of micro aerial vehicles is receiving an increasing attention. However, VTOL-MAVs often show an inherent instability that makes at least an automatic stabilization necessary, because otherwise the operator would not be able to keep these vehicles airborne. This requires the availability of navigation information, especially the vehicle's attitude has to be known.This paper addresses the development of an integrated navigation system based on MEMS inertial sensors and GPS for a VTOL-MAV. Special attention is paid to the handling of GPS outages. While usually periods without GPS aiding can be bridged using the unaided strapdown solution, the poor quality of the MEMS inertial sensors prohibits this approach here. Therefore, during GPS outages the accelerometer data is interpreted as approximate measurements of the local gravity vector. Additionally, the usage of a magnetometer providing measurements of the Earth's magnetic field is motivated and discussed. Finally, flight test results illustrate the performance of the resulting system, proving that the achieved attitude accuracy is sufficient for the automatic control of the MAV. This holds in situations with permanent GPS loss and dynamic maneuvering, too.     

GPS多径信号的自适应滤波估计方法

 研究全球定位系统(GPS)多径信号估计的问题。通过分析自适应滤波器的原理,建立了数字中频信号处理的数学模型,提出一种用自适应滤波实现GPS多径幅度、码相位和载波相位估计的方法。该方法采用不同延迟的伪随机序列对信号进行解扩、解调和累加,得到了作为期望信号的系列自适应滤波相关值。对该方法与其他3种方法进行了理论上的分析比较,得出本方法具有信噪比高、自适应滤波性能好、带有码相位信息和不存在载波模糊度问题等优点。根据各种滤波器算法的特点和本应用的需求,给出了选用递归最小二乘算法实现的方法。通过计算机仿真,验证了提出的方法能够在14 dB的信噪比下,以1个采样间隔的时间延迟分辨率和0.005周的载波相位估计精度估计出GPS L1的多径信号。