High Accuracy GPfog Azimuth and Attitude Sensor

KVH Industries proposes to deliver a high precision GPfog azimuth and attitude sensing system based on fusing three low cost sensor technologies: ultra short baseline carrier phase measurement GPS utilizing low cost GPS chip technology; uniquely affordable three-axis KVH E-Core Fiber Optic Gyros (FOGs); and a micro-machined commercially available accelerometer sensor package. The fiber optic rate sensors will be fused with GPS azimuth/attitude measurements and accelerometer inputs to increase system bandwidth and robustness and to provide immunity to short term GPS outages. During platform motion, the proposed system will use the change in position inputs from multiple low cost GPS chips to calculate a backup azimuth input to the carrier phase measurement, including stored heading backup during vehicle stops. The proposed three axis attitude and azimuth system will deliver better than 0.4 RMS degree accuracy at a per-unit parts and labor cost below $2,000 (sell cost under $7,000) in small quantities. KVH's proven experience in GPS product fusion (KVH GPS/Compass TACNAV and GPS/FOG Continuous Positioning System), combined with our low cost, robust, low drift FOG technology, make KVH uniquely qualified to solve the solicited non-magnetic high accuracy azimuth requirement.