GPS-Based Attitude Determination for Microsatellites

Kurzfassung

This paper introduces a new attitude determination algorithm using differential GPS carrier phase measurements. The algorithm is based on a Kalman filter which processed single differences and estimates the baseline vectors, the clock offset, the angular velocity and acceleration vector as well as the single difference ambiguities. The resolution of double difference ambiguities is accomplished using the LAMBDA-method. The double difference ambiguities are used to constrain the single difference ambiguities in the filter state. The accuracy of the estimated attitude is assessed with real measurements from ground based tests on a turntable. Numerical simulations have been used to test the algorithm for a spaceborne scenario. Furthermore, the performance of the initial ambiguity resolution is assessed.