Project Title:

A GPS-Based Attitude Determining System to Aid High Dynamic Flight Test Data Analysis

  94-1	03.06	2900

  A GPS-Based Attitude Determining System to Aid High Dynamic Flight 
  Test Data Analysis

Abstract:

NASA needs a moderate cost system that can provide accurate 
attitude and time information to assist with flight test data 
analysis. A GPS based attitude determining system offers 
significant advantages over traditional inertial sensors in that it 
provides attitude that does not drift over time, accurate time 
information for time synchronization of data, as well as position 
and ground velocity (speed and track). Time can be determined to 
the nanosecond level. Adroit Systems, Inc., (ASI) is proposing to 
develop a GPS-based attitude determining system that is capable of 
operating reliably on a high dynamic aircraft platform. To achieve 
the high-dynamic performance capability required in NASA's flight 
test environment, ASI proposes to slightly modify an existing GPS 
ADS and integrate the GPS based sensor with an inexpensive inertial 
attitude device. This augmentation will improve system integrity, 
increase achievable attitude rates, and compensate for occasional 
GPS signal shading.
During Phase I, ASI will develop the design for the integrated 
system in order to assure a low-risk prototype design and 
integration in Phase II. The system requirements and an aircraft 
integration plan will be developed in Phase I, and hardware and 
software design analysis will be performed. From this, the ADS 
specifications will be determined.

Potential applications of a robust, high-performance GPS-based 
attitude determining system are: photogrammetry, commercial and 
military aircraft navigation, marine navigation, Intelligence 
Vehicle Highway Systems (IVHS), remotely piloted Unmanned Aerial 
Vehicles (UAV) and Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV).

Key Words

Adroit Systems, Inc.
209 Madison Street, Suite 500
Alexandria, VA 22314