A Kalman Filter Approach to Navigation on the NAE Convair 580 Aeromagnetics Research Aircraft (L'Apport du Filtre Kalman Dans le Systeme de Navigation de L'Aeronef de Recherche Aeromagnetique nae Convair 580),
Abstract
Doppler radar, compass heading, and VLF communications station phase difference information are combined in an optimal fashion to form an ten-state Doppler/VLF Kalman filter navigation algorithm is designed for use onboard the NAE Convair 580 aeromagnetics research aircraft, with simulation studies conducted using computer programs written in FORTRAN for the IBM 3032 TSS operating environment. Results from the studies show the unique features of a Kalman filtering approach to the navigation task. Various contingencies, or anomalous situations, that can arise when handling the VLF data are considered, and solutions are offered in the context of the Kalman filter approach being used. A comparison study involving simulated navigation data demonstrates the superiority of the Kalman filter navigator compared to simpler navigation algorithms, especially when significant bias errors occur in the basic quantities being measured. A further comparison study based on navigation data collected onboard the Convair verifies that the proposed Kalman filter navigation algorithm operates properly when using typical 'real world' data. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA100836
Entities
People
- B. W. Leach
Organizations
- National Research Council Canada