The Precision Pulse Positioning Orientation System (3POS) for Enhanced Platform Orientation

Propagation Research Associates, Inc. (PRA) applied two technologies developed on previous SBIR contracts to develop a Phase I design for a battlefield platform position and orientation determination system. The PRA Precision Pulse Positioning System (3PS) technology provides precise near-instantaneous position estimates of antennas located on battlefield platforms and the PRA Polarimeter technology permits the near-instantaneous measurement of polarization using simple antenna configurations that can easily be mounted on weapon platforms, UAV’s, munitions, and hand-held devices. The combination of these two innovative technologies enables the Precision Pulse Positioning Orientation System (3POS) as an effective approach to provide self-determination of the position and orientation of stationary or moving platforms. In Phase I PRA developed the optimal combination of polarization, phase, and timing measurements required for the 3POS and now proposes to demonstrate the system by developing and testing a prototype in Phase II. PRA proposes a 3POS architecture with multiple receive antennas (three or four) located on a platform to determine position and orientation in an inertial reference frame that is defined by the transmit antennas. In addition to being low cost, 3POS will also occupy minimal real estate on a platform and require minimal power to operate.