PRINCIPLES OF SELF-CONTAINED NAVIGATION,
Abstract
Following a brief introduction on the nature and magnitude of the current effort in self-contained navigation, the basic functions of all navigation are analysed. Several methods of fixing are discussed, and it is shown that celestial navigation is limited by an inherent difficulty in establishing an accurate vertical on board a moving (accelerating) vehicle. Several methods of dead-reckoning are also analysed, and it is pointed out that the first to be free of fundamental (as opposed to instrumental) limitations is that using a doppler radar and a gyroscopic heading reference. Finally, the basic principles of inertial navigation are developed and presented in a simple, physical way. These systems solve the problem of establishing an accurate vertical by measuring vehicle accelerations; and simultaneously (and inseparably), by establishing an accurate vertical, they permit meaningful acceleration measurements to be made. The physical basis for Schuler Tuning is explained in elementary terms. The fundamental differential equation of inertial systems is derived. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 29, 1957
- Accession Number
- AD0606353
Entities
People
- H. H. Bailey
Organizations
- RAND Corporation