Position and Attitude Data System (PADS)

Purpose

The Position and Attitude Data System (PADS) is a high accuracy, near real time, long range airborne direct georeferencing system. It integrates GPS and inertial sensor measurements using Kalman filtering techniques to precisely determine multiple target locations on the ground. It consists of an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), GPS receiver, and Integration Computer System (ICS) running the Applied Analytics Real Time Navigator (RTN) software package.

Features

Hardware/software for precision roll, pitch, heading and navigation

Complete inertial navigation solution at IMU data rate (e.g. 200Hz, WGS-84)

Initial heading and leveling alignment accomplished with Kalman Filter

In-air alignment capability (re-start)

Navigator calibrated with Multi-State Kalman filter using GPS observations

UTC event timing to 1 microsec

System Description

Kearfott KI-4901 Inertial Measuremment Unit

NovAtel ProPak-LB GPS system using Omnistar to achieve <0.2 m accuracy in real time

QNX operating system

Standard RS-422 IMU interface with data validity interrupt

PADS/C, Ethernet controller

Data can be collected for Post processing

Removable I/O panel

Swappable 1-36 VDC Volt Lambda Power Supply. Industry standard VME power can be replaced with alternative units using any input power

Easy to Read Power Supply Status Lights

Removable/Replaceable Euro Card GPS receiver

Space for additional 4HP Euro Card (Optional)

Fully Functional Computer uses Ampro LB700 EBX processor with Sealevel PC-104 8 port communications

Robust I/O connection availability. (6) External (6) internal RS-232/RS-422 Serial Communication Ports, (4) USB A1.1 Compliant Ports, (2) RJ-45 10/100 Network Ports

Accuracy

Pitch/Roll 0.003 deg, Heading 0.004 deg (real-time)

Position < 20 cm (real-time)

All navigation data at 200 Hz

Event timer allows for precise coupling with optical and multi-spectral sensors

GPS, GPS Antenna, IMU and Integration Computer System (ICS)