Study and simulation on a dynamic gyroless north finder

This paper studies on the principle of a novel analytically dynamic north finder and discusses its simulation on computer. Two accelerometers are rigidly mounted on a high-speed rotating table. One is used to measure the horizontal component of Earth rate according to the Coriolis effect. The other is used to sense the base tilt motion with respect to the gravitational acceleration. Using multi-position rapid sampling and multi-period information processing techniques, the signal-to-noise ratio of the system is effectively improved, and the influence of base disturbances is largely decreased as well. Optimal estimation and smoothing approach of parameters are also imposed to complete the analytic and dynamic north finding process. The results of computer simulation indicate that the system has good immunity to noise, fast reaction and high accuracy. Also, with a low-cost accelerometer replacing costly gyro, the north finder is cost-effective. This analytically dynamic north finder is expected to be applied in many fields, especially suitable to military