Measurement of Spatial Orientation Angles of a Small Spacecraft Using GNSS Signals

摘要

The article considers the synthesis of an optimal algorithm for measuring spatial orientation angles from GNSS signals using an antenna array. The principle of operation and the structure of the synthesized algorithms are fundamentally different from traditional algorithms that use the principle of an interferometer. In new algorithms, the determination of orientation is based on the formation of radiation patterns in the intended directions to all navigation spacecraft. The deviation of the direction of the formed rays of the radiation pattern from the true gives information about the inaccuracies of the alleged orientation. This differs significantly from the principle of functioning of interferometers, based on pairwise measurement of the phase difference of signals received by individual antenna elements.