Inertial navigation system synthesis approach and gravity-induced error sensitivity

A design criterion for improving the performance of the speed-damped inertial navigation system is presented. The single-axis speed-damped system is approached by optimizing the response of the system to a step-function disturbing signal. Butterworth, integral of time-multiplied absolute-value of error (ITAE), and solution-time standard forms are assumed to be the figures of merit for optimizing the system performance. The steady-state RMS (root-mean-square) gravity-induced navigation errors that are excited in the speed-damped system are determined for two gravity uncertainty models. The proposed figures of merit are compared. These comparisons reveal the sensitivity of predicted navigation errors to uncertainties in the gravity statistics, and simplify the choice of a suitable figure of merit for use in the design and error analysis of inertial navigation systems