Doppler navigation and the remotely-piloted air vehicle

The paper looks at Doppler navigation in relation to the remotely piloted air-vehicle (RPV) application and describes a suitable equipment. A height ceiling of a few thousand feet for an RPV is substantially less than that of a normal commercial aircraft and allows a simplification of the navigator design. In general, the size, weight and cost of a navigator depend on the performance required and the Doppler system employed to achieve it. The conventional unmodulated carrier type of Doppler navigator design, as used in the UK, is not the most appropriate for the RPV and the f.m.c.w. technique is favoured. A short tutorial introduction on Doppler is included for those unfamiliar with the subject.