Incorporation of global positioning system into autonomous underwater vehicle navigation

The authors provide a brief introduction to the global positioning system (GPS). In addition, the issues of incorporating GPS into autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) navigation are explored. Test results conducted on a stationary GPS receiver are analyzed for suitability in AUV navigation. These results meet the minimum criteria of AUV employment as established. It was demonstrated that small, low-cost, low-power GPS receivers, in general, are suitable for AUV applications. In addition, a system design that the Naval Postgraduate School is now pursuing to incorporate GPS into AUV navigation is presented.<
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