Study to Create an AUV Inertial Navigator on a Chip

Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) require acceleration and rate sensors to implement platform stability and navigation. Extended periods of submerged operation force the AUV's core navigation sensors to have low power and low drift performance. Previous AUV sensor suites comprised bulky spinning-mass gyros that reduced payload capacity and platform endurance. More reliable, lower power and less massive sensors are now possible by co-locating signal processing electronics on the sensor's wafer. An innovative dual-function solid state sensor - the WADDAN Multisensor - fabricated in a silicon chip, is a good candidate to integrate with its signal conditioning electronics. The resultant integrated sensor/electronics wafer will consume insignificant power, fit in approximately a one cubic inch capsule, and provide the performance necessary to navigate the AUV for extended periods between GPS position updates. The technical challenges, objectives and tasks to successfully integrate the Multisensor with appropriate signal processing electronics and complete the AUV navigation system are articulated in this proposal.