On the Treatment of Inertial Measurement Unit Data in Optimal Linear Navigation Policies

The inclusion of the integrated nongravitational acceleration outputs from an inertial measurement unit in an optimal linear navigation policy is treated. This formulation appears to be considerably different nt from the treatments of IMU data for space vehicle navigation that have previously been discussed and promises to yield considerably better results in many instances. It has the advantage that the data are processed in an optimal fashion that makes the best use of knowledge of the general system characteristics. Further, the IMU enters the formulation in the same manner as any other sensor and, therefore, provides a more uniform method of treatment. Two methods of dealing ng with the IMU are discussed and then applied to a simple example. The advantages of the second formulation are observed to be quite significant.