Using centuries-old navigation principles updated for today, Rockwell Collins is developing a true north finding navigation and pointing capability that uses the sun and stars to correct differentials and augment GPS. Celestial-Inertial Precision Pointing System is a high-performance sensor fusion unit for navigation. The Celestial-Inertial Precision Pointing System-100 subsystem brings together three sensing technologies to provide a continuous stream of azimuth and vertical angle data to the host system. Those technologies are an inertial sensing core, celestial-object measurement and tracking, and backup magnetic sensing. Together, these system elements provide the continuous data and associated accuracy estimates required by multiple types of ground-based targeting systems and heading reference units.

Key Features & Benefits
*Combines the accuracy of a celestial solution with the flexibility and tracking of an INS
*System can easily incorporate additional sensors such as a magnetometer into the solution
*High accurate azimuth recall maintained by the INS allows for use during celestial occlusion (Reference Target mode)
*Non-magnetic
*Continuous, real-time azimuth
*Full attitude output (pitch, roll, azimuth)
*Uses a System-on-a-chip processor, giving it significant processing power with lower power consumption and low heat dissipation

Performance Specs
Inertial Sensing / Main Processing
*3-axis accelerometers / angular rates and magnetometer (MEMS technology)
*Integrated-solution processor
*High-rate data (50 Hz)
Celestial Object Processing
*Camera image processing
*Azimuth determination
*Low-rate data
Integrated inertial / celestial capability
*MEMS technology inertial sensing
*Azimuth aiding from the celestial-object subsystem
*Optimal sensor fusion processing (Kalman-filter implementation)
Azimuth Accuracy
*2 mil (1?)
Power
*Peak power during celestial determination: < 2 W

Physical Specs
Size:
Integration into a host unit
The processor board is 6.6 x 4.8 x 1.5 cm
(2.6 x 1.9 x 0.6 inches)
Weight:
< 100 g

Power
< 2 W (peak)
< 0.3 W (standby)