Navigation Performance Analysis for the Edge Program

John Dargan, Chuck Eckert, Donald Kelly and Pamela Harms

Abstract:	The Exploitation of Differential Global Positioning System for Guidance Enhancement (EDGE) High Gear Program substantiates the use of Differential corrections to the Global Positioning System (GPS) for guiding air-to- ground weapons. The EDGE flight vehicle consisted of a 2000 pound GBU- 15 glide bomb modified by replacing the seeker head with an Inertial Navigation System / Global Positioning System (INWGPS). Navigation accuracy enhancement was accomplished using “theater- wide” Differential GPS (DGPS) corrections to the GPS pseudoranges. The DGPS corrections were generated from a reference receiver network of four GPS receiver sites approximately 1,000 nautical miles distant. The DGPS corrections were supplied to an Improved Data Modem (IDM) ground station which transmitted the corrections to the host aircraft. This paper discusses lessons learned from the EDGE tests in using DGPS to improve the accuracy of the navigation. Static and captive carry tests were conducted, using carrier phase position scoring, to assist in determining the navigation accuracy. This paper also presents GPS lessons learned in satellite selection techniques, dilution of precision (DOP) criteria, GPS constellation maintenance, and satellite masking issues.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 8th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1995) September 12 - 15, 1995 Palm Springs, CA
Pages:	413 - 422
Cite this article:	Dargan, John, Eckert, Chuck, Kelly, Donald, Harms, Pamela, "Navigation Performance Analysis for the Edge Program," Proceedings of the 8th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1995), Palm Springs, CA, September 1995, pp. 413-422.
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