Abstract: A system determines three-dimensional attitude of a stationary or moving platform using signals from a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) antenna that undergoes deliberate translation, which may be occasional. The system uses single GNSS receiver, a single GNSS antenna, and inertial acceleration and/or rotation rate sensors. In one implementation, the GNSS antenna and inertial sensing components are rigidly connected and mounted to a pallet that is intentionally translated along a track as needed. In a second implementation, the GNSS antenna is mounted to a pallet, and the inertial sensing components are fixed in position. To maximize effectiveness, the track is oriented along a geometrical direction of the platform that is predominantly in a lateral direction from the gravity vector. The system achieves three-dimensional attitude accuracy that rivals interferometric GNSS systems.

Abstract: A system determines three-dimensional attitude of a moving platform using signals from two closely spaced Global Positioning System (GPS) antennas. The system includes three rate gyroscopes and three accelerometers rigidly mounted in a fixed relationship to the platform to aid in determining the attitude. The system applies signals from one of the two GPS antennas to sufficient channels of a GPS receiver to support navigation. The system applies signals from a second of the two GPS antennas to the additional receive channels to support interferometry. The system resolves the ambiguity normally associated with the interferometric heading solution by having closely spaced GPS antennas, and uses interferometry to refine a coarse heading estimate from a GPS plus Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) transfer alignment solution. The system achieves sub-meter spacing of the two GPS antennas by merging many temporal interferometric measurements and the attitude memory provided by the IMU time-history solution.

Abstract: A system determines three-dimensional attitude of a moving platform using signals from two closely spaced Global Positioning System (GPS) antennas. The system includes three rate gyroscopes and three accelerometers rigidly mounted in a fixed relationship to the platform to aid in determining the attitude. The system applies signals from one of the two GPS antennas to sufficient channels of a GPS receiver to support navigation. The system applies signals from a second of the two GPS antennas to the additional receive channels to support interferometry. The system resolves the ambiguity normally associated with the interferometric heading solution by having closely spaced GPS antennas, and uses interferometry to refine a coarse heading estimate from a GPS plus Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) transfer alignment solution. The system achieves sub-meter spacing of the two GPS antennas by merging many temporal interferometric measurements and the attitude memory provided by the IMU time-history solution.

Abstract: A system determines three-dimensional attitude of a moving platform using signals from two closely spaced Global Positioning System (GPS) antennas. The system includes three rate gyroscopes and three accelerometers rigidly mounted in a fixed relationship to the platform to aid in determining the attitude. The system applies signals from a first of the two GPS antennas to sufficient channels of a GPS receiver to support navigation. The system applies signals from a second of the two GPS antennas to the remaining receive channels, which are configured to support interferometry. The system optimally selects the navigation and interferometry channels to provide an interferometric heading solution. The system resolves the ambiguity normally associated with the interferometric heading solution by having the closely spaced GPS antennas and using interferometry to refine a coarse heading estimate from a GPS plus Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) transfer alignment solution.