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Azimuth determination system and method therefor

  • US 8,099,876 B1
  • Filed: 11/21/2008
  • Issued: 01/24/2012
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An azimuth determination system comprising:

  • a platform;

    a plurality of gimbals attached to the platform to allow the platform to rotate about multiple axes;

    a pair of gryos attached to the platform;

    a leveling device attached to the platform to indicate when the platform is at a desired position;

    a control device attached to the plurality of gimbals to move the platform to the desired position indicated by the leveling device; and

    an electronics system to provide power to the azimuth determination system and to determine azimuth by positioning the gyros in a first position with an input axis of the gyros orthogonal to the Earth Rate vector to calculate a first output and rotating the gyros 180°

    about the vertical to a second position to calculate a second output, the platform inverted and rotated to calculate a third and fourth outputs, wherein the four outputs are combined to produce the azimuth value and gyro induced bias error.

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