Miniature North Seeking Module (MNSM)

Applied Technology Associates (ATA) proposes to develop a miniature North seeking module (MNSM) based on magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) inertial angular rate sensing devices. The MNSM measures the Earth’s rotation vector to determine azimuth and is independent of GPS, celestial body sight angle, and the magnetic North. ATA’s enabling sensor (ARS-15, 8cc volume, 60grams) will be integrated on an ultra small, low power turntable and rotated to determine azimuth angle from North. ATA will demonstrate the technology that has the potential of augmenting, or replacing magnetometer based compasses in the battlefield. Army applications for a precision MNSM include Far Target Locators (FTLs) for the improved target acquisition system (ITAS), and Javelin command launch unit (CLU). ATA will investigate several algorithms that will be used to minimize the error of the MNSM azimuth calculation. The initial desired horizontal accuracy is 10m at 3000m (3mrad, 0.2 deg), however the proposes MNSM is expected to exhibit azimuth errors less than 1 mrad (0.05 degree) in less than one minute based on initial analyses. The signal to noise (SNR) between the Earth spin vector and the inherent noise of the ARS-15 enables high fidelity measurement of the Earth’s spin rate vector.