Develop Low-Weight/Low Cost AC/DC Regulated Converter for V-22 Applications

To overcome the problems and performance limitations of traditional electronic compass designs and to achieve better performance at a lower cost, an innovative, simpler, more robust magnetic heading sensor is being developed. The approach is based on thethesis that heading sensor accuracy can be made better (and the heading sensor less complex and expensive) than traditional electronic compass designs. The approach employs the scanning magnetic angle comparator (SMAC) technique, which offers distinctadvantages over conventional electronic compasses, because there are additional degrees of freedom to optimize performance by using feedback via a microprocessor to minimize error. During Phase I, an extensive error model analysis was performed. Theanalysis predicted an achievable accuracy of 0.1-degrees at 30-degrees latitude. The design study demonstrated the feasibility of implementing a precision, solid-state, non-inertial, self-calibrating heading sensor at a production cost of under $1,000using commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) magnetic sensors and electronic components. During Phase II, a prototype -- 0.875-incles diameter and approximately 4.0-inches long -- will be developed. (A 0.5-inches in diameter unit for use in ThinLine towed arrayshas been proposed as an option.) At the end of Phase II, a SMAC heading sensor will be available for testing on an AUV.