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Session C4: Military PNT User Equipment: Other

Honeywell EGI Approach to Expanded AltNav/Alt PNT Capabilities
Jim Waid, Honeywell, Inc.
Location: Room 1-3
Date/Time: Monday, Jun. 3, 4:45 p.m.

The GPS modernization effort over the past decade has provided additional robustness to users when confronted with counterfeit GNSS signals in space. While the introduction of M-Code and specific antenna technology has improved the ability of the warfighter to sort through the challenge, GPS denial is still a concern. Without the valuable measurement data from the constellation, legacy INS integration with GNSS is limited. With the increased concern of DoD users to this condition, the community has placed significant focus improving the navigation and attitude solutions for a multitude of applications. Traditional INS/GPS integrated sensors can no longer be the sole sensor available to users while operating within tactical environments. The Honeywell EGI is an example of a system where integrating other aiding sources can best be implemented on the platform to meet the increasingly demanding requirements of the military community. The intent of this presentation is to provide an overview of the initial assessment of data, model, and test results for a variety of Alt-PNT measurement candidates.
Honeywell has developed and tested an independent solution providing additional assurance while operating within a GPS challenged environment. As part of the effort, additional candidate aiding measurement sources are being investigated to determine viability. The core focus of the effort is to develop a flexible and open solution that accepts and leverages a variety of sensor data as aiding sources for the inertial sensors within the EGI.
Honeywell has taken a sensor agnostic and open approach towards this end. The intent is to not bind the EGI to specific sensors or manufacturers, but to qualify the measurement data types for integration. For example, use of a specific star tracker may produce a position estimate. Rather than designing to a specific star tracker implementation, the KF is configured to accept a variety of sensor outputs over an open ICD such as position estimate, bearing(s) to known location(s), and platform attitude.
A baseline model has been developed that forms the basic capability of accepting a wide range of aiding sources. Honeywell continues to refine the model and is taking the steps necessary to implement the solution into an EGI. This presentation provides an overview of the initial assessment of candidate aiding data when integrated with inertial sensors, followed by a detailed description of the model with test results for a multitude of alternative navigation measurement candidates. Examples of candidate aiding sources include: Independent user position; velocity; platform attitude; platform attitude rate; range and bearing to known locations and; precision clock aiding. Test results for various combinations is shared and the presentation concludes with a description of Honeywell plans to implement ALTNAV within existing and future EGI products.

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