Integrated MEMS/GPS navigation systems

This paper describes the development of integrated MEMS-based inertial sensor/GPS navigation systems by BAE Systems, Plymouth, UK. Underlying MEMS capability is outlined, and the significance of this technology as a component in low-cost, miniature, gun-hard navigation systems is described. The importance of concurrent MEMS developments driven by the commercial marketplace is also addressed. A series of integrated inertial sensor/GPS systems are described. The progression from first-generation, loosely-coupled systems, to higher performance, closely-coupled systems is outlined. A route-map for eventual progression to deeply-integrated, high anti-jam systems is also described. A modular and flexible Kalman filter employed in the integrated systems is described. The potential for exploiting this flexibility by employing alternative aiding sources, such as terrain referenced navigation (TRN), is also explored.