Inertial sensors integrated platform / Global positioning system (GPS)

• Grant number: 97/13014-5
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: June 01, 1998
• End date: June 30, 2002
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Aerospace Engineering - Aerospace Systems
• Principal Investigator: Otavio Santos Cupertino Durão
• Grantee: Otavio Santos Cupertino Durão
• Company: Navcon Navegação e Controle Indústria e Comércio Ltda
• City: São José dos Campos

Abstract

This research project is looking to integrate, on a single platform, inertia sensors and a low cost GPS receptor, with the aim of determining trajectories and position. Besides the mechanical integration, algorithms, processing and the treatment of the necessary signals will also be implemented. As a result, we expect to have, on a small-dimensioned, low mass platform, a unit capable of offering better results than those of its components (GPS and inertia sensors) when working in isolation but with same purpose. In addition, the integrated platform will overcome the limitations these components have when acting in isolation. Continuous use of isolated GPS receptors, for example, is not possible, due to temporary geometric restrictions of its positioning. Other causes of temporary loss of GPS signal occur due to errors in signal transmission. Also, the frequency of the GPS receptor reader is insufficient in certain cases, and this frequency will be substantially increased when it is integrated with the inertia sensors. The integration of these two pieces of equipment eliminates these deficiencies. Phase 1 of the project analyzed the viability of this integration for a wide range of applications. As a result, in phase 2, the intention is to build a pre-industrial model of the system that has modular characteristics. That is, attention will be paid to different applications and precision specifications, allowing for the modular substitution of some of the system’s components, notably the inertia sensors board. In this way, low precision applications can be handled with low cost sensors, without this preventing the use of the system in other higher precision applications, provided better quality sensors are used. (AU)

Filed patent(s) as a result of this research project