Accuracy Enhancement Techniques Applied to the Marine Ring Laser Inertial Navigator (MARLIN)

Sperry Marine, Inc. and Honeywell, Inc. are jointly developing a cost-effective high performance marine ring laser inertial navigator (MARLIN). This navigator employs several accuracy enhancement techniques, including two-axis indexing and two-axis isolation control. Derivations and analysis results are presented which clearly demonstrate the advantages of these techniques in comparison to single-axis indexing and other schemes. Key design aspects and current status of the MARLIN Navigator are described. A summary of at-sea test data on a Honeywell demonstration system is presented, which confirms the MARLIN accuracy goals.