This course introduces the engineering principles and current technology behind navigation systems. The course is broadly split into two sections, the first covering navigation equations and inertial methods, and the second covering satellite-based navigation and integrated navigation methods. The course is primarily aimed at Aero Engineers, but may be taken by other Engineering students with a previous background in this area.

2 lectures per week

ENG4184 Navigation Systems 4

SIT4042 Navigation Systems 4S

None

100% Examination

This course aims to introduce the technology of modern navigation systems, particularly inertial and satellite-based systems.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ define position in terms of latitude, longitude and height, and be capable of deriving the great circle distance between two points using a transformation approach;

■ explain the different methods of inertial navigation and the sensors used in realising practical inertial navigation systems;

■ derive the navigation equations in appropriate sets of axes;

■ describe the basic principle of operation of a global navigation satellite system;

■ assess the error sources in computing a pseudo-range estimate;

■ solve the equations for calculating a position estimate from a given satellite constellation.

■ understand the principles behind integrated navigation systems and the importance of the Kalman Filter.

Students must attend the degree examination and submit at least 75% by weight of the other components of the course's summative assessment.

Students must attend the timetabled laboratory classes.

Students should attend at least 75% of the timetabled classes of the course.

Note that these are minimum requirements: good students will achieve far higher participation/submission rates.  Any student who misses an assessment or a significant number of classes because of illness or other good cause should report this by completing a MyCampus absence report.