A Statistical Comparison of Differential GPS and Laser Generated Time, Space Positioning Information for Aircraft Flight Testing

Alan Lawer, Dirk deDoes and Ron Gray

Abstract:	Testing of current and future aircraft systems can place substantial demands on test support environments. For example, evaluation of aircraft performance often requires a highly accurate estimate of time space and position information (TSPI) over the duration of a test mission. In addition, there are often requirements to test over extended geographical areas and to be unconstrained by weather or the availability of test range resources. One potential solution for providing an accurate and autonomous TSPI reference is differential GPS (DGPS). This paper presents results of a study to evaluate the accuracy of a DGPS system that employs SIVA-S capable Phase III GPS receivers. Because laser tracking systems have been one of the “standard” sources of TSPI for many years, DGPS results are compared to Yuma Proving Ground laser generated TSPI (LTSPI). Data obtained from T-39 and C-141 flights, spanning low to moderate dynamics, was processed to evaluate DGPS TSPI (DGTSPI) accuracy. The results show that DGPS is equivalent to the laser system as a source of vehicle position information. Due to its autonomous operation, lack of calibration requirements, and availability of pseudorange data from keyed receivers that are already installed on many DOD aircraft, the DGTSPI is well suited as a truth source for flight test applications.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 1992 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation January 27 - 29, 1992 Catamaran Resort Hotel San Diego, CA
Pages:	329 - 335
Cite this article:	Lawer, Alan, deDoes, Dirk, Gray, Ron, "A Statistical Comparison of Differential GPS and Laser Generated Time, Space Positioning Information for Aircraft Flight Testing," Proceedings of the 1992 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation, San Diego, CA, January 1992, pp. 329-335.
Full Paper:	ION Members/Non-Members: 1 Download Credit Sign In