Testing the Functionality and Applicability of Smart Devices for a Handheld Celestial Navigation System

Abstract

In this paper, the functionality and applicability of smart devices for the purpose of handheld celestial navigation systems is investigated. The main instrument used to determine observer position (altitude measurements) in celestial navigation is the sextant. The use of a sextant and almanac or computer is a classical approach to determining the observer's celestial position. This approach has two significant limitations, firstly the time window for the measurements is short, and secondly, the view of the ocean horizon must be clear. With the use of smart devices, we can overcome these two obstacles and create a so-called handheld celestial navigation system. Currently, smart devices have very accurate sensors to measure various physical quantities such as acceleration, angular velocity, orientation, etc. We are particularly interested in validating the orientation sensor for measuring the altitude and azimuth of the celestial body. The altitude of the celestial body is the primary parameter in determining the celestial position using a sextant. The idea is to replace the sextant with a smart device to measure the altitude and possibly the azimuth of the celestial body. To test this idea, two types of experiments are designed. In the first, a system on a tripod to obtain the most accurate measurements possible is set. Such tests will provide detailed information about the accuracy of the smart device's sensors and its applicability in measuring altitude and azimuth. The test system will essentially resemble a theodolite device. In the second experiment, a hands-free measurement experiment that resembles a sextant to test the idea for practical use and functionality in the process of celestial positioning is set. The observed data show that the results of the measurements under controlled conditions are promising and within reasonable bounds for the accuracy of celestial positioning. Estimates of the position error by the graphical method are in the range of 10 Nm to 30 Nm. In order to obtain a fully functional stand-alone celestial positioning system, the proposed assembly needs to be improved through several unchallenging upgrades. A fully functional system can be considered as a cheap off-the-shelf handheld Celestial Navigational System (CNS).