A fault-tolerant air data/inertial reference unit

The fault-tolerant air data/inertial reference unit (ADIRU) described is a key part of a fault-tolerant air data/inertial reference system (ADIRS) designed to be the inertial and air data reference for the ARINC 651 Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) distributed architecture. The ADIRU has been designed to meet the commercial aviation market demands for low life cycle cost and high integrity fault detection, fault isolation, and redundancy management. The ADIRU's internal redundant resources provide quad channel redundancy that is one level higher than conventional triple redundant systems, allowing it to provide deferred maintenance capability. Robust partitioning, simple serial internal interfaces, and simple voting planes ensure that internal redundant components are properly utilized to provide high integrity system outputs. This relieves systems using it from having to perform their own redundancy management of the air data and inertial outputs from multiple sources required by conventional systems     

Autonomous fault-tolerant attitude reference system using DTGs insymmetrically skewed configuration

A novel symmetrically skewed configuration for an attitude reference system (ARS) using three dynamically tuned gyros (DTGs) is developed. Simple schemes for autonomous detection and identification of a faulty DTG in real time and subsequent reconfiguration of the attitude estimation algorithm are proposed. The performance of the present configuration is shown to be better than that of configurations proposed earlier, and it is shown to have better features. It tolerates all types of failures of DTG failures, requires very simple computations, and gives less error in attitude estimate than the other configurations     

Reliability analysis of fault-tolerant IMU architectures withredundant inertial sensors

A systematic reliability analysis procedure for evaluating fault-tolerant inertial measurement unit (IMU) architectures is described. The procedure is based on modeling the system architecture, the component reliabilities, and the redundancy management. The component reliabilities are based on constant failure rates and exponential failure distributions. The overall reliability of the IMU and the major contributors to IMU reliability are computed. Three state-of-the-art fault-tolerant IMU architectures are evaluated and compared using the procedure     

A simulator of the aircraft air data system

This paper considers the purpose, principles of construction, algorithms of generating output signals and the functional diagram of a simulator of aircraft air signals that is built based on the vortex sensor of aerodynamic angle and true airspeed.     

A strapdown inertial navigation system for the flat-Earth model

The development of a strapdown inertial navigation system (SINS) for aerodynamically controlled vehicles, which are limited to altitudes below 30 km (that is, a small distance compared with the Earth's radius of about 7000 km), or using the so-called flat-Earth model (FEM), is the principal objective of this work. In dealing with the FEM equations, the north, east, down (NED) frame on the surface of the Earth is taken as an inertial reference frame. Although, this frame is both accelerating and rotating, the accelerations associated with the Earth's rotation are negligible compared with the acceleration that can be produced by a maneuvering aircraft. Also, in this model, the gravity is taken as constant. In developing the SINS for the FEM, the aerodynamic force and moment have dominant roles, depending primarily on such variables as the angle of attack and sideslip, their derivatives, components of the angular velocity of the aircraft, and the control inputs. On the other hand, the SINS deals with such variables as the small-angle rotation vectors. Thus, it was necessary to link both set of variables as state variables of the strapdown FEM as is done in this work. The developed model is relevant for small (less than 200) angles of attack and sideslip.     

嵌入式大气数据传感系统的模糊逻辑建模方法

为克服传统的大气数据传感系统的不足,对嵌入式大气数据系统展开了研究。以某飞翼布局飞行器为研究对象,通过风洞试验和CFD数据,研究了针对嵌入式大气数据系统的模糊逻辑建模方法。以模型表面若干测压点的压力或压力系数作为模糊逻辑系统的输入,以迎角、侧滑角、来流速度和海拔高度作为输出,分别采用自适应和固定形状参数的隶属函数作为模型组成部分,混合使用梯度下降法和最小二乘法来识别模糊逻辑系统的参数,从而建立针对该嵌入式大气数据系统的模糊逻辑模型。建模结果表明,相比以往仅使用梯度下降法和固定形状参数的隶属函数的模糊逻辑模型,自适应隶属函数的引入使得模型精度与求解速度得到提高。     

Multiposition alignment of strapdown inertial navigation system

The authors demonstrate that the stationary alignment of strapdown inertial navigation system (SDINS) can be improved by employing the multiposition/technique. Using an observability analysis, it is shown that an optimal two-position alignment not only satisfies complete observability conditions but also minimizes alignment errors. This is done by analytic rank testing of the stripped observability matrix and numerical calculation of the error covariance. It is also shown that an optimal three-position alignment accelerates the convergence of the alignment error compared with two-position alignment     

A parametric synthesis technique for a stationary multichannel flow-type aerometric receiver in the helicopter air data system

The statement and a technique for solving a problem of parametric synthesis and rational choice of structural parameters for a stationary multichannel flow-type aerometric receiver using the results of the experiment being planned are clarified. The scheme of a design model and a receiver structure that provide an increase in noise immunity and extension of working velocities in the helicopter air data system are described.     

平台式惯性导航系统在线可靠性评估技术

平台式惯性导航系统是现代导航的重要设备,由于其所处环境和制造工艺各不相同,导致各个体之间的可靠性有着明显的差异。如果对收集到的性能误差数据进行统一处理,无法准确地反映个体之间的差异性,不利于掌握平台式惯性导航系统个体的可靠性规律。针对该问题,对平台式惯性导航系统的在线可靠性评估方法进行了重点研究。结合平台式惯性导航系统使用过程中的性能变化特点和失效机理,利用复合Poisson过程建立了其性能退化模型,并给出了性能参数评估方法。通过算例分析,说明建立的性能退化模型能够较好地描述平台式惯性导航系统的性能退化规律,有助于掌握平台式惯性导航系统的可靠性水平。     

Omnidirectional integrated helicopter air data system based on the stationary multichannel aerometric transducer

In this paper, a problem of measuring the altitude-speed helicopter performance in the range of low and near-zero flight velocities is considered. The structural functional scheme of the omnidirectional helicopter air data system based on the stationary aerometric multichannel transducer (AMT) as well as the jet-convective measuring channels is shown and algorithms for the formation of the system output signals are presented. In order to extend the lower bound of operating speeds, it is proposed that the omnidirectional system be integrated with the aeromechanical measuring computer system that realizes the VIMI method with Luenberger’s observer. Also given is the algorithm support and the accuracy of the integrated system operation is estimated.     

Fiber-optic strapdown inertial system with sensing cluster continuous rotation

This research describes a technique and a performance analysis of a fiber-optic strapdown inertial system with sensing cluster continuous rotation around the vertical body axis of the vehicle. The bias errors of these inertial sensors, gyros and accelerometers with cluster rotation, will have periodically varying corresponding components along the body axes. The modulated sensor errors produce reduced system errors. Simulation results indicate that, compared with the conventional method, the proposed approach attenuates the navigation errors and alignment errors due to the gyros' error and the accelerometers' error.     

Fast alignment and calibration algorithms for inertial navigation system

Algorithms for fast estimating the azimuth misalignment angle and calibrating gyro drift rates are approached from the point of view of control theory. By introducing the Lyapunov transformation, the equivalence of Strapdown Inertial Navigation System (SINS) and Gimbaled Inertial Navigation System (GINS) is discussed, and it shows that the analysis results of GINS can be applied to SINS directly by using such kind of equivalence. A similar transformation that based on physical essence is introduced, so that the true states can be replaced by the so-called pseudo-states, and then the observable states of INS can be dynamically decoupled with the unobservable states. Consequently, the best completely observable subsystem model of INS can be obtained. Based on the simplified subsystem model of INS, the algorithms for fast estimating the azimuth misalignment angle and calibrating gyro drift rates are proposed. The proposed algorithms show that the azimuth misalignment angle and gyro drift rates can be estimated from the rates of leveling misalignment angles without using the gyro output signals.     

Differential GPS/inertial navigation approach/landing flight testresults

In November 1990, a differential GPS/inertial flight test was conducted to acquire a system performance database and demonstrate automatic landing using an integrated differential GPS/INS with barometric and radar altimeters. Flight test results obtained from postflight data analysis are presented. These results include characteristics of DGPS/inertial error, using a laser tracker as a reference. In addition, data are provided on the magnitude of the differential correlations and vertical channel performance with and without radar altimeter augmentation. Flight test results show one sigma DGPS/inertial horizontal errors of 9 ft and one sigma DGPS inertial vertical errors of 15 ft. Without selective availability effects, the differential corrections are less than 10 ft and are dominated by receiver unique errors over the time period of an approach. Therefore, the one sigma performance of the autonomous GPS (8-ft horizontal and 20-ft vertical) is very similar to the DGPS/inertial performance. Postprocessed results also demonstrate significant improvements in vertical channel performance when GPS/inertial is aided with radar altimeter along with a low-resolution terrain map     

Construction and algorithms of a helicopter air data system with aerometric and ion-tagging measurement channels

A functional diagram of the air data system and a structural scheme of the air data sensor are described. The special features of generating and processing the air data of aerometric and ion-tagging measurement channels at parking, takeoff and landing modes of the helicopter operation are examined.     

Automated air defense system using knowledge-based system

The proposed KAAD (knowledge-based automated air defense) system demonstrates a man-machine environment for airspace defense systems. When the unknown aircraft is hostile, a threat rating and response methods are generated by the system. It serves as a double-check decision-making system for a war control center. In addition to this application, the KAAD system can also be a useful tool as a training program for the war controller. The capabilities of the system are limited due to the shortage of knowledge resources. It requires communications among war controllers and air fighter pilots to organize a practical knowledge base. It is shown that the KAAD system can be combined with an automated ATC (air traffic control) system to become a practical system for air defense applications     

Multi-sensor optimal data fusion for INS/GPS/SAR integrated navigation system

INS/GPS/SAR integrated navigation system represents the trend of next generation navigation systems with the high performance of independence, high precision and reliability. This paper presents a new multi-sensor data fusion methodology for INS/GPS/SAR integrated navigation systems. This methodology combines local decentralized fusion with global optimal fusion to enhance the accuracy and reliability of integrated navigation systems. A decentralized estimation fusion method is established for individual integrations of GPS and SAR into INS to obtain the local optimal state estimations in a parallel manner. A global optimal estimation fusion theory is studied to fuse the local optimal estimations for generating the global optimal state estimation of INS/GPS/SAR integrated navigation systems. The global data fusion features a method of variance upper finiteness and a method of variance upper bound to ensure that the global optimal state estimation can be achieved under a general condition. Experimental results demonstrate that INS/GPS/SAR integrated navigation systems achieved by using the proposed methodology have a better performance than INS/GPS integrated systems.     

A maintenance-free lead acid battery for inertial navigationsystems aircraft

Historically, aircraft inertial navigation system (INS) batteries have utilized vented nickel-cadmium batteries for emergency DC power. The United States Navy and Air Force developed separate systems during their respective INS developments. The Navy contracted with Litton industries to produce the LTN-72 and Air Force contracted with Delco to produce the Carousel IV INS for the large cargo and specialty aircraft applications, over the years, a total of eight different battery national stock numbers (NSNs) have entered the stock system along with 75 battery spare part NSNs. The standard hardware acquisition and reliability program is working with the Aircraft Battery Group at Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, Naval Air Systems Command (AIR 536), Wright Laboratory, Battelle Memorial Institute, and Concorde Battery Corporation to produce a standard INS battery. This paper discusses the approach taken to determine whether the battery should be replaced and to select the replacement chemistry. The paper also discusses the battery requirements, aircraft that the battery is compatible with, and status of Navy flight evaluation. Projected savings in avoided maintenance in Navy and Air Force INS systems is projected to be $14.7 million per year with a manpower reduction of 153 maintenance personnel. The new INS battery is compatible with commercially sold INS systems which represents 66% of the systems sold     

Digital air/ground communications for air traffic control

The early 1990's communications for air traffic control (ATC) uses analog single channel radios with conventional amplitude modulation (AM) in the very high frequency (VHF) band. To overcome eventual saturation of the current system, a sample “next generation” ATC communications system has been designed to increase capabilities and provide a graceful transition from the current system. The new ATC communication system must address problems with the modulation format and a balance between increased channel capacity and overall cost. The controller/pilot workloads can be reduced in that the information segments allow for either semi-automatic or fully automatic handoff or frequency change. The principal performance factor is the addition of data, fully integrated with voice, while offering an increase in throughput. The architecture is structured to put priority on the uplink voice messages while offering significant information capacity capabilities for external data sources. When digital data and voice communication systems mature in the ATC environment, a natural evolution to more data traffic and less voice will occur. At that time, a simple restructuring of the channel assignments and priorities could offer increased throughput for connection to ground based data sources such as high capacity routers     

Low cost inertial/GPS integrated position and orientation systemfor marine applications

This paper describes the Low Cost Position and Orientation System (LCPOS), comprising the integration of a low cost “tactical grade” inertial measurement unit with GPS position, velocity and heading aiding data. LCPOS was designed to be a cost-effective alternative to a high performance costly ship INS (SINS). The demonstrated accuracy of the LCPOS integrated navigation solution is comparable to that of the SINS