Back to Basics: Schemata for an Automated Repeating Sextant (ARS)

Peter C. Boulay

Abstract:	It is possible to construct an automated, repeating sextant (ARS) with an electronic artificial horizon, using inexpensive, commercially available components and unique software. By averaging numerous individual observations of a celestial body during a brief period of time, the sextant obtains a highly accurate altitude reading, computes the mean time of the observation, and calculates the line of position. Such an instrument is suitable for air, land and sea navigation. Its theoretical resolving power, yet to be fully field tested, appears to approach or exceed that of many modern navigational instruments of greater complexity. The most obvious limitation of such an instrument--its dependence on clear weather for celestial observations--can possibly be overcome by combining its technology with that of RF direction finding instruments, averaging numerous homing signals of low accuracy to achieve a highly accurate line of position.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 1989 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation January 23 - 26, 1989 San Mateo, CA
Pages:	107 - 111
Cite this article:	Boulay, Peter C., "Back to Basics: Schemata for an Automated Repeating Sextant (ARS)," Proceedings of the 1989 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation, San Mateo, CA, January 1989, pp. 107-111.
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