Innovative Navigation Systems to Support Digital Geophysical Mapping, ESTCP #200129, Phase II Demonstrations

Abstract : This report covers the Phase II demonstrations of innovative navigation systems to support geophysical mapping. Phase II focuses on navigation equipment integrated with geophysical sensors applied in the search for potential ordnance and explosive items. The prior Phase I demonstrations used basic navigation technologies without geophysical equipment. Eight demonstrators were evaluated for their position performance in the open and in the woods at the McKinley Range, Redstone Arsenal, AL, OE test site for known and unknown surface points and subsurface seeded geophysical anomalies. The technologies included a commercially available RTK GPS with acoustic navigation, a Robotic Total Station laser-based system, a DGPS integrated with an improved low cost Inertial Navigation System, an UlTrasonic navigation with autocorrelation signal recovery, a local area radio frequency positioning system, a laser strobe with enhanced range and four transmitter stations, a low cost GPS/INS integrated with electronic compass and a low cost GPS/acoustic system integrated with an electronic compass. The demonstrated average error positions of the systems fell into three categories, with normal GPS the least accurate and fitting only for characterization roles. All other systems are capable of area mapping with the UlTrasonic system being limited iii work area by its short range. Only the two laser-based line-of-sight systems can support the accuracy and range required for subsurface anomaly interrogation.