Abstract: The author reviews technology for supporting automated vehicle navigation. This technology ranges from simple map displays showing the current location of the vehicle to complex interactions between onboard electronics and a supporting infrastructure to provide intelligent guidance on the selection of driving routes. It is concluded that an infrastructure-intensive route guidance environment does not provide the functionality, the reliability, the flexibility, the coverage, or the performance that is necessary to make in-vehicle navigation viable in the marketplace. It is further concluded that distributed route guidance does provide these characteristics, using proven technology, at significantly lower costs than central systems. >

Abstract: The authors show the benefits of combining the GPS (Global Positioning System) solution with the INS (inertial navigation system) solution to extend navigation through the jammed environment. A simulated scenario containing the dynamics and jamming of various mission phases (takeoff, en route navigation, target area entry, etc.) are defined and used to obtain performance data. A variety of real-time methods for determining how to use the GPS navigation solution in the mission computer are demonstrated, and an INS error filter is modeled and analyzed to show the improvement in navigation capability possible when using state-3 (jammed) GPS data. >

Abstract: The current edition of the US Federal Radionavigation Plan, issued in 1984, presents a consolidated federal plane on the management of those radionavigation systems which are used by both the civilian and military sectors. It states the US Dept. of Defense (DoD) goal to phase out the use of TACAN, VOR/DME, OMEGA, LORAN C, and TRANSIT in military platforms and for Global Positioning System (GPS) to become the standard radionavigation system for DoD. This would eliminate all the current sole-means air navigation systems (TACAN and VOR/DME) aboard military aircraft. Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations within controlled airspace requires an operating sole-means air navigation system to be aboard the aircraft. The authors investigate the requirements for GPS certification as a sole means air navigation system in the US National Airspace System (NAS); discuss the implication for GPS user equipment (UE) hardware and software; describe the actual UE implementation; and discuss approaches for UE integration with flight instruments on US Navy aircraft. >

Abstract: The author discusses the integrity of the GPS (Global Positioning System) as applied to flight operations in the National Airspace System. A generic scenario for failure of navigation signals-in-space is defined. Concern is focused on the state of temporary navigation on notification of a failure, and subsequent recovery to continued radionavigation. Operational considerations are identified to reflect the impact on pilot and air traffic control. A comparison of receiver autonomous and GPS integrity channel monitoring is presented with regard to these considerations. General guidelines are suggested for assuring that GPS navigation equipment properly uses the integrity information to satisfy operational considerations of safety and workload. >

Abstract: The multisensor navigation systems research evolved from the availability of several stand alone navigation systems and the growing concern for aircraft navigation reliability and safety. The intent is to develop a multisensor navigation system during the next decade that will be capable of providing reliable aircraft position data. These data will then be transmitted directly, or by satellite, to surveillance centers to aid the process of air traffic flow control. In order to satisfy the requirements for such a system, the following issues need to be examined: performance, coverage, reliability, availability, and integrity. The presence of a multisensor navigation system in all aircraft will improve safety for the aviation community and allow for more economical operation.