ABSTRACT |
This paper presents a new approach to the problem of attitude determination using GPS. Unlike the traditional linearized, or quaternion-based methods, the attitude matrix element solution is calculated directly. This approach is computationally more economical than the linearized method, and does not need any initial attitude, as it is a non-iterative, forward procedure. As a generalization of the balanced condition, a symmetric condition is introduced which acts to simplify the derived solution, and makes the approach suitable for either coplanar or non-coplanar baseline configurations. It is also applicable to both symmetric and non-symmetric cases. Furthermore, it can act as a compass algorithm in the case of a two-antenna configuration which always fulfills the symmetric condition. The results of experiments demonstrate that algorithms derived from this new approach are highly efficient. |