An Integrated Sensor Approach to Helmet Position and Orientation Measurement

We propose to develop a helmet tracker, based on the use of two sensor technologies. The first of these will be an Ultra-sonic Helmet Position Sensor. This device will procide the data needed to determine the position of the pilot's helmet within the crew station. The second portion of the tracker system will involve the use of a Micro Inertial Measurement Unit. This device will provide the orientation and line of sight data source for the helmet tracker. These technologies will be combined to manufacture a truly miniature helmet mounted tracker, that is immune to the problems associated with the present magnetic devices. Full mechanical sensor and electricalcircuit design in addition to mechanical structure prototypes will verify feasibility. The objectives of the first phase will be to determine the number and type of transducers required, the electronic interface requirements and to demonstrate the feasibility of the system by prototyping a bench top system.