Microwave Radiometric Attitude Reference System.
Abstract
An attitude reference system is described which uses microwave radiometry to sense the orientation of a vehicle. A fundamental fact of microwave radiometry is that more natural energy emanates from the earth than from the sky. The difference in energy, which is directly proportional to temperature, can be used to estimate attitudinal position. Microwave antennas mounted on an escape vehicle, such as an aircraft ejection seat, receive energy from different directions in a base plane, and from a direction perpendicular to the base plane. Vehicle orientation relative to the earth is discerned by comparing the sensed radiometric temperature received from each antenna direction, and seat guidance equipment is programmed to steer the seat in a predefined direction based upon the radiometrically sensed orientation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 21, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADD004971
Entities
People
- John O. Hooper
- Vernon D. Burklund
- W. James Stone
Organizations
- United States Department of the Navy