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The Seven Ways to Find Heading

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 April 2016

Kenneth Gade
Kenneth Gade*
Affiliation:
(Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI))
*
(E-mail: Kenneth.Gade@ffi.no)
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Abstract

A magnetic compass has too large a heading error for many applications, and it is often not obvious how to achieve an accurate heading, in particular for low-cost navigation systems. However, there are several different methods available for finding heading, and their feasibility depends on the given scenario. Some of the methods may seem very different, but they can all be related and categorised into a list by studying the vector that each method is using when achieving heading. A list of possible methods is very useful when ensuring that all relevant methods are being considered for a given application. For practical navigation, we have identified seven different vectors in use for heading estimation, and we define seven corresponding methods. The methods are magnetic and gyrocompass, two methods based on observations, multi-antenna Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), and two methods based on vehicle motion.

Keywords

Heading estimationCategorisation of methodsVectors
Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Navigation , Volume 69 , Issue 5 , September 2016 , pp. 955 - 970
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal Institute of Navigation 2016 

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