Method for determining a phase measurement error map using rotating antenna information
First Claim
1. A method for determining a differential phase map for an antenna system utilized in attitude determination, comprising:
- rotating at least two antennas about an axis of rotation;
receiving a carrier signal with said at least two antennas;
determining phase measurement information from the carrier signal received by each of said at least two antennas; and
calculating a differential phase map from the determined phase measurement information whereby the differential phase map may be utilized to correct differential phase measurements in an attitude determination system that utilizes said at least two antennas.
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Abstract
A method for calculating the phase reception pattern of an antenna system utilized in attitude determination is disclosed. The antenna system is disposed on a platform (or rate table) that rotates about a single, fixed axis at a constant rate as incoming signals from one or more satellites are received, thereby revolving the antennas about the axis. Information collected from the satellite signals is utilized to calculate a differential phase map (phase measurement error correction map) for the antenna system. The rate of rotation of the table is approximately known, and small variations in the rotation rate may be compensated. The baseline vector connecting two or more antennas is preferably approximately perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the platform. Phase measurement data is collected and may be processed off-line to compute a phase measurement correction map. Attitude calculations may be compensated with the determined differential phase measurement correction map.
44 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for determining a differential phase map for an antenna system utilized in attitude determination, comprising:
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rotating at least two antennas about an axis of rotation; receiving a carrier signal with said at least two antennas; determining phase measurement information from the carrier signal received by each of said at least two antennas; and calculating a differential phase map from the determined phase measurement information whereby the differential phase map may be utilized to correct differential phase measurements in an attitude determination system that utilizes said at least two antennas. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for determining a differential phase map for an antenna system utilized in attitude determination, comprising:
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a step for rotating at least two antennas about an axis of rotation; a step for receiving a carrier signal with said at least two antennas; a step for determining phase measurement information from the carrier signal received by each of said at least two antennas; and a step for calculating a differential phase map from the determined phase measurement information whereby the differential phase map may be utilized to correct differential phase measurements in an attitude determination system that utilizes said at least two antennas. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A program of instructions storable on a computer readable medium for causing a computer to execute steps for determining a differential phase map for an antenna system utilized in attitude determination, the steps comprising:
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receiving a carrier signal with at least two antennas while said at least two antennas are rotating about an axis of rotation; determining phase measurement information from the carrier signal received by each of said at least two antennas; and calculating a differential phase map from the determined phase measurement information whereby the differential phase map may be utilized to correct differential phase measurements in an attitude determination system that utilizes said at least two antennas. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification