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==Overview== | |||
The inertial navigation system is a system of aircraft navigation still used today in many large aircraft as the primary navigation system. Instead of using radio navigation aids or satellites, this system is entirely self-contained within the aircraft, computing the aircraft's position by sensing its acceleration and orientation. It, in essence, is a real accurate dead-reckoning computer. | The inertial navigation system is a system of aircraft navigation still used today in many large aircraft as the primary navigation system. Instead of using radio navigation aids or satellites, this system is entirely self-contained within the aircraft, computing the aircraft's position by sensing its acceleration and orientation. It, in essence, is a real accurate dead-reckoning computer. | ||
There are several names for it, some with slightly different uses: | There are several names for it, some with slightly different uses: | ||
<ul> | |||
Inertial Navigation System (INS) | <li>Inertial Navigation System (INS) | ||
<li>Inertial Reference System (IRS) | |||
Inertial Reference System (IRS) | <li>Inertial Navigation Unit (INU) | ||
<li>Inertial Reference Unit (IRU) | |||
Inertial Navigation Unit (INU) | <li>Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU, the name used by NASA in many cases -- look at the Pheonix lander now on Mars.) | ||
</ul> | |||
Inertial Reference Unit (IRU) | |||
Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU, the name used by NASA in many cases -- look at the Pheonix lander now on Mars.) | |||
Dead-reckoning is a navigation technique where you know where you started, what direction you flew, how fast you flew, and how long you flew. You can then, on a map, trace your position.[http://www.navfltsm.addr.com/basic-nav-general.htm] The inertial navigation system (abbreviated "INS") uses accelerometers to find your velocity and direction, and computers compile in the time and an entered start position to calculate your current position. | Dead-reckoning is a navigation technique where you know where you started, what direction you flew, how fast you flew, and how long you flew. You can then, on a map, trace your position.[http://www.navfltsm.addr.com/basic-nav-general.htm] The inertial navigation system (abbreviated "INS") uses accelerometers to find your velocity and direction, and computers compile in the time and an entered start position to calculate your current position. |
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