A SIMPLIFIED DOPPLER NAVIGATING SYSTEM,

Abstract

This memorandum reports on a preliminary investigation into methods by which the computational requirements of the navigating station can be reduced and presents a preliminary estimate of the theoretical ultimate accuracy that is obtainable by simplified navigating techniques. To form a basis for the investigation, an example of a navigating system is given in which: (1) the navigational satellite's memory capacity is increased to enable the satellite's position (but not velocity) to be transmitted to the navigating station once every one to three minutes; (2) the navigating instrumentation integrates the received Doppler shift to obtain an experimental measure of the slant range to the satellite each time the satellite's position is received, and (3) the navigator estimates his position from four or more data points by (exclusively) hand computations. Using this example, it is estimated that the navigator can determine his position to an ultimate accuracy of about one-half mile with a maximum time for the hand computations being about forty minutes. Possible extensions of this approach to somewhat more sophisticated navigating methods are discussed briefly. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 19, 1958
Accession Number
AD0626651

Entities

People

  • William H. Guier

Organizations

  • Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Computations
  • Doppler Effect
  • Instrumentation
  • Measuring Instruments
  • Navigators
  • Slant Range
  • Velocimeters

Readers

  • Aerospace Test and Evaluation
  • Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Technology.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space