Performance Profiles and Future Outlook of Doppler Navigation Systems

A method of determining position error of Doppler navigation systems is discussed which is based on the component errors and on statistical considerations. Sample calculations for four typical systems are presented. The historical behaviorial performance of the three major components of a Doppler navigation system the velocity sensor, the computer, and the heading reference are analyzed and presented graphically. The weight trends of the components of Doppler navigation systems and of the complete systems are described. Possibilities of certain combinations of self-contained and ground-referenced navigation systems are discussed.