Unisys Advanced Integrated Navigation System

Joseph R. Cantwell, Theodore P. Sargent

Abstract:	This paper describes a sophisticated integrated navigation system that Unisys developed for use on geophysical exploration ships. The system can optimally, process navigation data from a large set of navigation sensors including Doppler sonars, gyrocompasses, navigation satellite receivers (Sat Nav and GPS), Loran-e, Decca Pulse-S, and as many of four from a set of 10 radio navigation aid receivers (Argo, Decca Navigator, Decca HiFix, Decca Hyperfix, Maxiran, Miniranger, Raydist, Shoran, SPOT, and Syledis). Kalman filters are used in the system to calibrate the dead-reckoning subsystems and the Loran C and Decca Pulse-S chains. Maximum Likelihood Estimation is used to integrate navigation sensor data. Many other functions are provided, including automatic steering of the ship along survey lines, automatic steering of the seismic Common Depth Point, time and distance control of the seismic shot events, and logging of navigation and other data at seismic shot events. There are more than 30 CRT control/display pages to provide the operator with insight into the status of the system and access to all control variables. The system has been embedded into an advanced seismic survey control system for the fleet of a major maritime seismic survey company and thus is becoming the standard of the industry. The system has many applications including deep-sea mining, cable-laying, and mine-hunting.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 1987 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation January 20 - 23, 1987 Anaheim, CA
Pages:	66 - 70
Cite this article:	Cantwell, Joseph R., Sargent, Theodore P., "Unisys Advanced Integrated Navigation System," Proceedings of the 1987 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation, Anaheim, CA, January 1987, pp. 66-70.
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