Accelerometer augmented precision compass

A method for operating a compass system comprising:

• generating a first accelerometer signal from a first flexure plate accelerometer;
• generating a second accelerometer signal from a second flexure plate accelerometer;
• rotating a platform clockwise when said first accelerometer signal is greater than said second accelerometer signal;
• rotating said platform counter-clockwise when said second accelerometer signal is greater than said first accelerometer signal;
• and
• generating a compass signal proportional to a deviation from an established earth rotation vector in response to equality of said first accelerometer signal and said second accelerometer signal.

A compass system for a missile system comprising:

• an inertial measurement unit;
• a platform coupled to said inertial measurement unit and defining an xz-plane, and an x-axis;
• a first flexure plate dual capacitance accelerometer coupled to said platform on a radial from said x-axis at an angle such that said first flexure plate dual capacitance accelerometer is sensitive to movement of said first flexure plate dual capacitance accelerometer in said xz-plane, said first flexure plate dual capacitance accelerometer comprising a first flexure plate perpendicular to said xz-plane and generating a first flexure plate dual capacitance accelerometer signal in response to movement of said first flexure plate;
• a second flexure plate dual capacitance accelerometer coupled to said platform on a radial from said x-axis at an angle such that said second flexure plate dual capacitance accelerometer is sensitive to movement of said second flexure plate dual capacitance accelerometer in said xz-plane, said second flexure plate dual capacitance accelerometer comprising a second flexure plate perpendicular to said xz-plane and generating a second flexure plate dual capacitance accelerometer signal in response to movement of said second flexure plate;
• a third flexure plate dual capacitance accelerometer coupled to said platform along said x-axis such that said third flexure plate dual capacitance accelerometer is sensitive to movement of said third accelerometer about said y-axis, said third flexure plate dual capacitance accelerometer comprising a third flexure plate perpendicular to said xz-plane and generating a third flexure plate dual capacitance accelerometer signal in response to movement of said third flexure plate;
• and
• a processor coupled to said first flexure plate dual capacitance accelerometer, said second flexure plate dual capacitance accelerometer, and said third flexure plate dual capacitance accelerometer,
• said processor receiving said first flexure plate dual capacitance accelerometer signal, said second flexure plate dual capacitance accelerometer signal, and said third flexure plate dual capacitance accelerometer signal and generating a platform control signal to rotate said platform in response to an inequality between said first flexure plate dual capacitance accelerometer signal and said second flexure plate dual capacitance accelerometer signal,
• said processor generating a compass signal proportional to a deviation from an earth rotation vector in response to an equality of said first flexure plate dual capacitance accelerometer signal and said second flexure plate dual capacitance accelerometer signal and said third flexure plate dual capacitance accelerometer signal substantially zeroed.