Advanced Celestial Azimuth Sensing Technology

The Common Laser Range Finder Integrated Capability (CLRF-IC) system requires a non-magnetic azimuth sensing module. While Trexs Celestial CompassTM already provides highly accurate, nonmagnetic, nearly instantaneous azimuth solutions within the SWaP required for CLRF-IC and other handheld applications, it has limited operability in adverse weather and twilight conditions and when the line-of-sight to the sun is obscured. Trex will develop an all-weather nonmagnetic, multi-sensor azimuth sensing system, which will increase the availability of azimuth solution up to 85% for worldwide weather to including adverse weather conditions. Additionally, the system will maintain performance during twilight hours, as well as in clear skies when the line-of-sight to the sun is obscured by trees, buildings, or other obstructions present in environment. Under the Phase-II base effort, we will design, fabricate, and field demonstrate a novel optics-based non-celestial-based azimuth sensor, as well as develop and implement an FPGA processor with optimized azimuth sensing and confidence metric algorithms. The Phase-II Option-I will develop and field demonstrate a hybrid sensor that integrates the Phase-II base technology with Trexs Celestial Compass. This first-of-kind hybrid sensor will undergo testing and improvements under the Phase-II Option-II preparing for migration to the CLRF Refresh Program, an ultimate goal of Phase-III.