Abstract
This paper presents an algorithm for calibrating strapdown magnetometers in the magnetic field domain. In contrast to the traditional method of compass swinging, which computes a series of heading correction parameters and thus is limited to use with two-axis systems, this algorithm estimates magnetometer output errors directly. Therefore, this new algorithm can be used to calibrate a full three-axis magnetometer triad. The calibration algorithm uses an iterated, batch least-squares estimator that is initialized using a two-step nonlinear estimator. The algorithm is simulated to validate convergence characteristics and further validated on experimental data collected using a magnetometer triad. It is shown that the postcalibration residuals are small and result in a system with heading errors on the order of 1 to 2 degrees.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 87-102 |
Number of pages | 16 |
Journal | Journal of Aerospace Engineering |
Volume | 19 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 2006 |
Keywords
- Aerospace engineering
- Algorithms
- Calibration
- Magnetic fields