Attitude Determination from Single-Antenna Carrier-Phase Measurements
Abstract
A model of carrier phase measurement (as carried out by a satellite navigation receiver) is formulated based on electromagnetic theory. The model shows that the phase of the open-circuit voltage induced in the receiver antenna with respect to a local oscillator (in the receiver) depends on the relative orientation of the receiving and transmitting antennas. The model shows that using a {\it single} receiving antenna, and making carrier phase measurements to seven satellites, the 3-axis attitude of a user platform (in addition to its position and time) can be computed relative to an initial point. This measurement model can also be used to create high-fidelity satellite signal simulators that take into account the effect of platform rotation as well as translation.
Cite
@article{arxiv.physics/0212028,
title = {Attitude Determination from Single-Antenna Carrier-Phase Measurements},
author = {Thomas B. Bahder},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:physics/0212028},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
12 pages, and one figure. Published in J. Appl. Phys. vol. 91, No. 7, April 1, 2002