Using the Navstar Global Positioning System to Enhance Ground Target Location

David N. Schneider, Anthony Callanan

Abstract:	This report describes a candidate enhancement to the Rockwell Collins NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS) Manpack/Vehicular (M/V) set to allow for the precise location of a ground target. The report presents a method which takes advantage of the M/V's precise navigation capability and combines it with the precision ranging capability of Laser Range Finding (LRF) devices like the AN/TVQ-2 Ground/Vehicular Laser Locator Designator (G/VLLD) or AN/PVS-6 Mini-Eyesafe Laser Infrared Observation set (MELIOS). The methodology is presented in two phases Case I: determining coordinates of a static target in two dimensions, and Case II: determining coordinates of a static target in three dimensions. Case I assumes terrain conditions that put the target, and M/V and LRF equipped teams on the same plane. Using the Pythagorean Theorem in cartesian coordinates along with two sets of range (R1 and R2) and position measurements (P1 and P2), a unique solution for the target position is determined. Case II adds the dimension of altitude (elevation) to the situation. With three. sets of range (R1, R2, and R3) and position measurements (P1, P2, and P3), a unique solution for the coordinates at the target position can be determined. Since the topic discusses precision, an error analysis is performed to demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed mechanization. The necessary modifications to the M/V software will also be defined. The report follows with recommendations for the USAF to consider improvements that can be made to procedures used by Tactical Air Control Parties (TACP) with fielded GPS M/V equipment. The authors are aware that M/V sets will not be fielded until December 1988,
Published in:	Proceedings of the 44th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1988) June 21 - 23, 1988 U.S. Naval Academy Annapolis, Maryland
Pages:	78 - 87
Cite this article:	Schneider, David N., Callanan, Anthony, "Using the Navstar Global Positioning System to Enhance Ground Target Location," Proceedings of the 44th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1988), Annapolis, Maryland, June 1988, pp. 78-87.
Full Paper:	ION Members/Non-Members: 1 Download Credit Sign In