Accurate INS Transfer Alignment Using a Monitor Gyro and External Navigation Measurements

A particular alignment mechanization for a nonmaneuvering vehicle is described which uses a monitor gyro to estimate the slave inertial navigation system (INS) equivalent east gyro drift rate and thus improves azimuth alignment. A state-space model of the dynamic system with measurements is developed. Results of covariance simulations employing Kalman filter estimation are presented for two master INS position update scenarios, one involving frequent and very accurate updates and the other including infrequent and coarse updates. The ef fects of position updates and the monitor gyro on the quality of transfer alignment are demonstrated and analyzed.