Abstract
A comparison of using the Global Positioning System (GPS) in conjunction with a strapdown Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) to measure the gravity vector in space and on a balloon shows the relative importance of each system element in these two different acceleration environments. With currently available instrumentation, the acceleration measurement accuracy is the deciding factor in space, while on the balloon (or other aircraft), the orientation error of the IMU platform is most critical. A simulation shows that GPS-derived accelerations in space are accurate to better than 0.1 mgal for a 30 s integration time, leading to estimates of 1° mean gravity anomalies on the Earth’s surface with an accuracy of 4–5 mgal. On a balloon, the horizontal gravity estimation error is tightly coupled to the orientation error of the platform, which can only be bounded by external attitude updates. Horizontal gravity errors of 5 mgal are achievable if the attitude is maintained to an accuracy of 1 arcsec.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Babcock, G.D., S.A. Kazan, A.P. Truban, F. Vescial, and L. Trozpek: Phase I High- Accuracy Ring-Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation System Program, AFWAK-TR-86–1100, prepared for Avionics Laboratory, Air Force Wright Aeronautical Laboratory by Rockwell International Corporation, 1987.
Carson, L.: Preliminary Experimental Performance of the TOPEX Global Positioning System Demonstration Receiver (GPSDR). In: Proceedings of the Second Symposium on GPS Applications in Space, C. Jekeli (ed.), Report GL-TR-90–0032, Volume II, Geophysics Laboratory, Hanscom AFB, Mass., 1990.
de Boor, C.: A Practical Guide to Splines, Springer-Verlag, New York, 1978.
Eissfeller, B. and P. Spietz: Basic Filter Concepts for the Integration of GPS and an Inertial Ring Laser Gyro Strapdown System. Manus. Geodaetica,. 14,166–182, 1989.
Hajela, D.P.: Improved Procedures for the Recovery of 5° Mean Gravity Anomalies from ATS-6/GEOS-3 Satellite to Satellite Range-Rate Observations Using Least Squares Collocation, Report No. 276, Department of Geodetic Science, Ohio State University, Report AFGL-TR-78–0260, Air Force Geophys. Lab., Hanscom AFB, MA, 1978.
Jekeli, C. and T.N. Upadhyay: Gravity Estimation from STAGE, a Satellite-to-Satellite Tracking Mission, J. Geophys. Res., 95(B7), 10973–10985, 1990.
King, R.W., E.G. Masters, C. Rizos, A. Stolz, and J. Collins: Surveying With GPS, Monograph No.9, School of Surveying, University of New South Whales, Kensington, NSW, Australia, 1985.
Lazarewicz, A.R., B.J. Schilinski, R.J. Cowie, C.L. Rice, P. Moss, and L.N. Carter: Balloon-Borne, High Altitude Gravimetry, The Flight of Ducky la (11 October 1983). Report AFGL-TR-85–0342, Air Force Geophysics Laboratory, Hanscom AFB, MA, 1985.
Lazarewicz, A.R., B.J. Schilinski, L.N. Carter, R.J. Cowie, and C. Leyh: Balloon- Borne, High Altitude Gravimetry, The Flight of Ducky II (October 1985). Report AFGL-TR-87–0309, Air Force Geophysics Laboratory, Hanscom AFB, MA, 1987.
Schmidt, G.T.: Strapdown Inertial Systems - Theory and Applications - Introduction and Overview. In: Strap-Down Inertial Systems, AGARD Lecture Series 95, NATO, 7 rue Ancelle, 92200 Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, 1978.
Trosen, D.W., P. deArujo, and B. Bower: Advanced Strapped-Down Accelerometer, AD- TR-88–103, prepared for Avionics Laboratory, Air Force Wright Aeronautical Laboratory by 6585th Test Group, Holloman AFB, 1988.
Upadhyay, T.N., G. Priovolos, W.E. Vander Velde, and H. Rhodehamel: STS-GPS Tracking Experiment for Gravitation Estimation. Report AFGL-TR-89–0035, Air Force Geophysics Laboratory, Hanscom AFB, MA, 1989.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1992 Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.
About this paper
Cite this paper
Jekeli, C. (1992). GPS/INS Gravity Measurements in Space and on a Balloon. In: Colombo, O.L. (eds) From Mars to Greenland: Charting Gravity With Space and Airborne Instruments. International Association of Geodesy Symposia, vol 110. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-9255-2_28
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-9255-2_28
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-0-387-97857-4
Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-9255-2
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive