GPS/INS INTEGRATION FOR RANGE INSTRUMENTATION

Abstract

To properly evaluate equipment, doctrine, and operator performance, the test and training range must accurately position players in both time and space. The NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS) offers the potential to revolutionize range instrumentation. In high dynamic environments, an integrated system composed of a GPS receiver and an Inertial Navigation System (INS) can overcome the effects of vehicle acceleration and signal blockage by vehicle structures. The GPS Receiver uses the INS velocity measurements to aid satellite reacquisition following signal losses and to aid sequential reacquisition in sequencing receivers. The INS also permits navigation during signal outages due to antenna masking and can be used to maintain high-quality, high-rate navigation solutions between GPS updates. The longterm accuracy of GPS is used to remove the effects of INS instrument errors, such as gyro drift, making it possible to acheive a high level of combined system performance using a low cost INS, which would have relatively poor long-term autonomous performance. The complexity of the GPS receiver required for a specific level of system performance is also reduced with the presence of INS aiding. This paper summarizes GPS experience at CGAD and discusses various types of INS sensors and their consideration in GPS/INS integration.