Low-Cost Six Axis (GPS/INS) Guidance System for Gun Launched Projectiles

A combination of newly available GPS2 microchip technology and microminiature optically sensed gyroscopes will allow us to configure a small (2"x4"x4", 0.018 cu ft), low cost, self-contained, battery-powered (2.5 Watts), projectile guidance system. The Phase I prototype will continuously output all 6 components of projectile orientation (latitude, longitude, geometric altitude, roll, pitch, and yaw) at a digital 120 Hz rate. From time sequences of these parameters we also compute ground-speed and heading. Because of our existing aircraft test platform, previous experience in military aircraft instrumentation, and use of low-cost off-the-shelf components, we are able to configure and preliminary flight test such a prototype system with 1000 G shock resistance in the Phase I effort. Phase II will consist of refinements, cost-effectiveness studies, MIL-SPEC testing, sensor integration with flight control systems, software development to optimally integrate GPS and inertial reference (gyroscopic) data, enhanced G-load tolerance, quicker GPS acquisition, and repackaging for military projectile and/or cruise missile test evaluations.