CENTRIPETAL ACCELERATION DETERMINATION, CENTRIPETAL ACCELERATION BASED VELOCITY TRACKING SYSTEM AND METHODS

摘要

The flight of an aircraft is characterized in terms of Earth-based reference system data for a first position and a second position of the aircraft that are separated by a time increment. A centripetal acceleration of the aircraft is determined based on the Earth-based reference system data for the positions in conjunction with the time increment. A rate of rotation is established corresponding to the time increment in an aircraft-based reference system. Aircraft airspeed is determined based on the centripetal acceleration and the rate of rotation. A turn can be detected as characterized by a change in track angle from a prior GPS packet compared to a new packet. Aircraft turns can be detected based on a change in track angle in GPS packets. Compensation can be applied to a gyro based on centripetal acceleration such that the gyro more accurately responds to the Earth gravity axis.

主权项

1. An apparatus, comprising:
an instrument for characterizing the flight of an aircraft during a turn in terms of Earth-based reference system data for a first position and a second position of the aircraft that are separated by a time increment; a gyro that is supported by the aircraft and provides gyro outputs that are intended to be responsive to an Earth gravity axis; and a processor configured for determining a centripetal acceleration of the aircraft responsive to said turn based on the Earth-based reference system data for the first and second positions in conjunction with the time increment and for applying compensation to said gyro based on the centripetal acceleration such that the gyro more accurately responds to the Earth gravity axis.