High Precision Navigation Integrating Satellite Information -GPS- and Inertial System Data

• Main Author: Cunha, Telmo Reis
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-2002
• Subjects: Computer Engineering
• ISBN: 1073961184; 9781073961184

Over centuries, navigation and position determination have been areas of major concern for several civilisations, being these studied and researched worldwide, with direct reflections on society's daily life and progress. Along this process, several technical developments took place, from instruments as simple as a magnetic compass, passing through devices based on angular measurements of elevation angles of space objects (such as the Astrolabe used, for example, in open sea ship location), and reaching today's state-of-the-art technologies based on electronic devices, electromagnetic wave propagation and high-precision mechanics. As in the past, the developments in the navigation field make new applications feasible, and as more precise and accurate navigation systems become, more demanding applications appear and new limits can be drawn. For example, in the XV and beyond centuries, the navigation and timing instruments available allowed a raw determination of latitude and/or longitude, but this poor (as seen with today's eyes) estimation of position made possible for the Portuguese, and others, to navigate across the oceans, discovering new territories (and returning home), and establishing long commercial routes through the seas.