A theoretical study of automatic inertial navigation

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis was to postulate a method of long-range inertial navigation, using only acceleration inputs, and to examine theoretically the responses of this system to external disturbances, using various types of mechanizations. The problem was divided into one of track control and of range indication, using a great-circular path between the points of departure and destination. The response of the track control system was examined with mechanization equations of as high an order as the fifth, and was found to improve as the order of the mechanization increased. Response to impulse type wind acceleration disturbances was satisfactory, but long-period sinusoidally varying winds caused excessive errors. It appears probable that additional feedback loops, in conjunction with a mechanization equation of the fifth or higher order, will solve the track control problem satisfactorily. In the range indication system, it was found to be impossible to remove any forcing function terms of higher order that the time rate of change of acceleration. It appears probable that the range indication system, as postulated, will prove to be satisfactory, especially if the sensitivities are made variable, as a function of the angle of the input pendulum.