Testing and Analysis of Baseline Length as a Performance Factor in GPS Attitude Determining Systems (ADS)

Charles E. Rodgers, Amy R. Gardner, Darryl R. Stroup

Abstract:	Under a contract to the U.S. Army Topographic Engi- neering Center (TEC), Adroit Systems, Inc. is devel- oping three versions of its military GPS Attitude Determining System (ADS). One version is designed to meet the requirements of the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and other artillery for deter- mining pointing attitude, position, and time, to facili- tate “shoot and scoot” tactics. Another version is designed to meet the requirements of the Trailblazer electronic warfare van. A man-pack version that has applications for Forward Observer/Forward Air Con- troller (FO/FAC) precise targeting is also being devel- oped. All versions depend on the measurement of GPS carrier phase at three antennas to determine plat- form attitude or pointing angle. The first phase of the development effort involves testing and analysis of the factors that determine the performance of a GPS ADS. Quantization of these factors’ effects will allow the design of more efficient and better performing systems. During this extensive testing, Adroit used three differ- ent baseline lengths. These were 0.85 meters, 0.5 meters, and 0.17 meters. This paper presents the baseline length test designs, analysis, and results. Multiple factors in the system design and software contribute to the ADS performance. For example, the accuracy of the system is determined by multipath, code-to-noise ratio (C/NJ, and baseline length. The analysis of the data contrasts the effects of these fac- tors. The experimentally derived curve of ADS accu- racy as a function of baseline length will be compared to the theoretical curve.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 1994 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation January 24 - 26, 1994 Catamaran Resort Hotel San Diego, CA
Pages:	77 - 83
Cite this article:	Rodgers, Charles E., Gardner, Amy R., Stroup, Darryl R., "Testing and Analysis of Baseline Length as a Performance Factor in GPS Attitude Determining Systems (ADS)," Proceedings of the 1994 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation, San Diego, CA, January 1994, pp. 77-83.
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