Position accuracy evaluation of GPS receiver under small UAV flight environment

GPS receiver is widely integrated into the autopilot for Small Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle (SUAV). The flight control loop within the autopilot uses the position and velocity information provided by GPS receiver to control the SUVA to flight through the desired path. So for tightly tracking a desired flight path, it is essential that GPS receiver can provide precise-enough position and velocity information. After selecting the RCB-4H GPS receiver, it is of great significant that the receiver undertakes as many necessary tests as possible before a real flight test. By using the facility of GSS6560 GPS simulator, a series of test were designed and conducted on the ground. Here three tests of them which focus on the evaluation of specifications of position accuracy and acquisition time are described in detail, which includes the test design, test data processing and analysis. The results show that the RCB-4H GPS receiver meets some specifications under certain environment.