Passive Inertial Navigation System

GPS-based inertial navigation systems provide a very accurate and cost-effective means of augmenting traditional inertial measurement units. However, the GPS signal is subject to jamming which can render the navigation system useless. The objective of this project is to design, fabricate, and test a navigation system for aerospace vehicles (e.g., projectiles and UAVs) that does not rely on GPS. This system will provide accurate navigation data with minimum mass and cost. We will achieve this objective by combining inertial measurement unit and altimeter data with magnetometer measurements and a magnetic field map of the earth. The innovative sensor fusion algorithm is based on advanced optimal estimation techniques that will result in highly accurate navigation data. These data will then be provided to the vehicle control system for vehicle guidance. During the Phase I project, we conclusively proved the feasibility of our innovation by performing a complete system study using computer simulation. During Phase II, we will design, fabricate, evaluate, and deliver a fully functional prototype passive inertial navigation system.