GNSS Differential Interferometer

TL;DR

This paper presents a low-cost GPS-based attitude determination system using two off-the-shelf receivers and double-difference algorithms, making accurate orientation measurement accessible beyond expensive traditional systems.

Contribution

It demonstrates the feasibility of using inexpensive GPS receivers for accurate attitude determination with a double-difference approach.

Findings

Achieved accurate attitude determination with low-cost GPS receivers.

Validated the system's potential for civilian, industrial, and military applications.

Showed that inexpensive GPS hardware can replace traditional high-cost systems.

Abstract

Baseline azimuth calculation using GPS carrier phase data can be achieved in a classic way by using two or more geodetic synchronized GPS receivers. Such system includes dedicated expensive components and thus is not applicable to many uses. The development of low cost GPS receivers have come to a point where good quality carrier phase measurements are available and double differencing systems utilizing these receivers have proven feasible. Inexpensive receivers like this, combined with attitude determination algorithm, can make accurate attitude determination using GPS accessible to everyone. Our project consisted of developing a low cost attitude determination system utilizing 2 Fastrax off-the-shelf receivers. Phase and code data from the receivers is processed, filtered and used for attitude determination using double-difference algorithm. Possible applications for such systems are for example: * Civilian - search and rescue equipment * Industrial - low cost geodetic measurement * Military - inexpensive weapon guidance system