Angle calibration of long baseline antennas
View Patent ↗A method for calibrating a sensor mounted on an aircraft includes the steps of: using an optical device to create reference points which define a reference line that is parallel to both horizontal and vertical planes of the sensor, and using the reference line to calibrate the sensor with respect to a reference coordinate system.
1. A method for calibrating a sensor mounted on an aircraft, the method comprising the steps of:
using an optical device to create reference points which define a reference line that is parallel to both horizontal and vertical planes of the sensor; and
using the reference line to calibrate the sensor with respect to a reference coordinate system by sending an orient message to an inertial navigation unit reflecting corrections that force the inertial navigation unit to report its heading and pitch in a coordinate frame of the sensor.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of using the reference line to calibrate the sensor with respect to a reference coordinate system comprises the step of:
adding corrections to heading and pitch angles reported by an inertial navigation unit.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the reference coordinate system is established by an inertial navigation system.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the reference line is parallel to a horizontal plane of the sensor and a vertical plane of the sensor.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises:
an antenna.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the antenna comprises:
a planar array of elements.
7. A method for calibrating a sensor mounted on an aircraft, the method comprising the steps of:
using an optical device to create reference points which define a reference line that is parallel to both horizontal and vertical planes of the sensor;
using the reference line to calibrate the sensor with respect to a reference coordinate system by directing an optical beam through first and second irises connected to the sensor; and
using the optical beam to establish first and second reference points.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
determining the locations of the first and second reference points.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the locations of the first and second reference points are determined using a global positioning system.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the step of using the reference line to calibrate the sensor with respect to a reference coordinate system comprises the step of:
adding corrections to heading and pitch angles reported by an inertial navigation unit.
11. The method of claim 7 , wherein:
the reference coordinate system is established by an inertial navigation system.
12. The method of claim 7 , wherein:
the reference line is parallel to a horizontal plane of the sensor and a vertical plane of the sensor.
13. The method of claim 7 , wherein the sensor comprises:
an antenna.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the antenna comprises:
a planar array of elements.