Flight attitude track reconstruction using two AHRS units under laboratory conditions

The paper describes a performance analysis of two low-cost AHRS (Attitude and Heading Reference Systems), calibration procedures, and the verification of INS (Inertial Navigation System) mechanization algorithm using dedicated automatic measurement system based on a real-time flight simulation. The measurement system included the flight simulation software FlightGear (FG) that offered a wide range of aircraft dynamics and track simulation possibilities. The FG output data were converted into the form suitable for a servo-controlled Rotational-Tilt Platform (RoTiP) which provided corresponding motion for two AHRS units mounted on it and reference information from optical sensors. The output data of the AHRS units were collected, processed and evaluated to verify the units accuracy and reliability. The methodology and results based on the performance analyses are presented.