Draper
developed the Personal Positioning System (PPS) in response to
the US Army requirement for Personal Navigation System, required
to provide autonomous, uninterrupted position, location and attitude
reference in GPS-challenged signal environment.
This robust suite is currently in prototype phase. As it is moved
into production, the size, power and packaging are expected to
improve by an order of magnitude or higher, improving usability
and decreasing weight.
Using MEMS inertial devices for measurement, Draper's PPS uses
GPS, inertial, Doppler radar, barometer and magnetometer inputs,
to enable the GPS receiver to maintain satellite lock for longer
periods in areas where GPS signals are attenuated, screened (by
tree canopy) or blocked by (in an urban canyon, for example).
It will also sustain navigation accuracy In areas where GPS signals
are absent. The system provides measurement accuracy within 3-5
meters, depending on the distance from last GPS reading. PPS is
part of the Future Force Warrior system and is implemented withinthe
General Dynamics' Fusion system.