Strapdown Inertial Navigation Technology (Iee Radar, Sonar, Navigation and Avionics, No 5)

An analysis of the physical principles of inertial navigation and its associated sources of errors including compensations to address these influences. Titterson (principal scientist, DRA) and Weston (navigation consultant, Sperry-Sun Ltd.) introduce the fundamental principles and historical development of inertial navigation and strapdown technology, detailing gyroscope, accelerometer and multi-sensor technologies, testing and calibration, strapdown systems and navigation computation, system alignment, and integrated navigation systems. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

David Titterton is a principal scientist at DRA, researching novel technology. He spent more than a decade researching navigation and guidance technology for a range of aerospace applications, which led to a number of publications. During this time he was also involved in the development and evaluation of miniature inertial sensors, and he also studied the ''system issues'' associated with the integration of strapdown technology to new applications. The University of Sheffield awarded him a BSc in Physics in 1969 and a PhD in 1973 for his research into the atomic structure of crystals.

John Weston is a navigation consultant with Sperry-Sun (UK) Ltd, concerned with the application of strapdown technology to well-bore surveying. Prior to this he worked in missile guidance and control, originally with British Aerospace plc, and, more recently, with Beacon Consultants Ltd, a technical consultancy, which he cofounded in 1984. His research interests include strapdown alignment and aided inertial systems, which have led to a number of publications. He received his BSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wales in 1968 and his MSc in Control Systems from the University of Birmingham in 1970. He is a member of the IEE.