Broad ocean bathymetric fix
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsSteven Kelmenson, Eugene C. Zavacki
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of correcting errors in in inertial navigation system, without imposing restrictions on the ships course, utilizing bathymetric data collected during the Ocean Survey Program (OSP). As the ship is in transit in or crosses an OSP swath, sonar transmissions commence and continue only to acquire bottom data within data areas of predetermined dimensions. Depth gates and transmission power levels are established in accordance with OSP provided bottom data and depth is determined by an autocorrelation process. A virtual linear map is established with the OSP data in the predicted locations of data collection areas. The collected data is then compared to corresponding OSP data to determine inertial navigation system corrections.
Claims16
A method for determining errors in an inertial navigation system's indicated ship's position utilizing a multiplicity of swaths of Ocean Survey Program (OSP) bathymetric data comprising the steps of:
- obtaining bottom data in data areas of predetermined dimensions as said ship transits said OSP swaths;
- noting locations indicated by said inertial navigation system at said data areas;
- creating a virtual linear map of OSP data by arranging said OSP swaths at said noted locations in a contiguous linear manner;
- comparing said bottom data obtained in said data areas to corresponding OSP bottom data in said linear map;
- determining differences between said bottom data in said data areas and said corresponding OSP bottom data;
- and
- utilizing said differences to establish location corrections for said inertial navigation system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.