Universal Two Stage GPS/INS Integration for Test Range Applications

Microcom Corporation and Chaffee Associates propose to design a Time Space Position Information (TSPI) module that will provide Universal Two Stage GPS/INS Integration for Test and Training Range applications. The design will allow combining of data from virtually any GPS receiver with data from any inertial system in a Kalman filter. This method of integrating GPS and INS data will eliminate the need for custom filter design whenever a different GPS receiver and/or INS is used, saving both non-recurring engineering and software development cost. The resulting position, velocity, acceleration, and time data will provide more accurate real-time data to ground station computers and display systems for use by aircraft participating in exercises on test and training ranges. The Phase I study will concentrate on developing and testing software prototypes of universal integration schemes using point estimators based on various norm constraints designed for robustness to outliers, near sufficiency, minimum variance, noise suppression, and mitigation of the effects of large deviations. We will also investigate the hardware aspects of the design including processor type and speed required, interfaces for the GPS receiver and the INS, as well as the overall packaging concept required for either an external pod or internal package. In addition, Microcom will prepare a design plan and submit a preliminary system design specification which will be the basis for development, test, and qualification of a Universal Two Stage GPS/INS Integrated Time Space Position Information (TSPI) module.