Aircraft Attitude/Heading Estimation Using a Dipole Triad Antenna

This paper performs aircraft attitude/heading estimation using an airborne dipole triad antenna. The signal model is given with the parameters such as the wave Direction Of Arrival (DOA) and state of polarization. The algorithms for estimating the source DOA and electric ellipse orientation angle are presented along with their statistical performance analysis. From these parameters, the aircraft gesture angles about pitching, yawing, and rolling, which are needed by autopilot, are produced. Simulation results validate the proposed algorithms efficacy.