A polarization approach to determining rotational angles of a mortar

Abstract

The polarization of the electromagnetic wave transmitted by antenna beacons are used for estimating certain parameters associated with a projectile launched in free space. The development of a novel sensor based on the characteristics of a propagating polarized electromagnetic wave is presented in this thesis. In particular this thesis investigates how antenna laws can be effectively employed for the real-time and direct measurement of the geometrical orientation (attitude) of a mortar or missile launched in space with respect to a set of reference beacons. This study begins by attempting to determine the location and orientation of a set of dipole antennas to be used as beacons and then builds on those results to move onto more complex antenna design and structures such as smart antennas. Results will show that the proposed scheme has potential as an attitude determination mechanism.