Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

The purpose of this unit is to present the principles and practices of modern navigation sensors and systems. To be a competent Avionics Engineer, a detailed knowledge of the principles of navigation is a mandatory requirement. Navigation is a fundamental building block for all aspects of aerospace projects. This unit is located in fourth year to draw upon previous studies in mathematics, electromagnetic fields and digital communications that underpin navigation systems.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to provide students with a detailed understanding of all types of navigation and positioning systems for all phases of flight. Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) is a large part of this unit, as this is the future of air navigation, followed by inertial sensors/navigation and aviation systems.

Objectives

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Explain the principle of operation of GPS navigation systems, satellite orbit estimation, user positioning and GPS integrity, among others.
   
2. Describe the principle of operation, limitations and applications of a number of types of navigation sensors.
   
3. Demonstrate the requirements for coordinate frame, multisensory-navigation and Kalman. Filtering and differentiate between terrestrial and satellite based positioning systems.
   
4. Apply a number of avionics standards and aerospace work practices to problem solving.
   
5. Demonstrate professional skills in technical writing for aerospace documents.

Content

1. Satellite navigation systems (GNSS)
2. Inertial navigation
- Navigation equations
- Multisensor navigation systems, kalman filtering
3. Aviation systems
- Landing systems
- Air traffic management
- Avionics interfaces - displays, protocols

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Teaching Mode:
Hours per week: 5
Lecture: 2
Lab/Tutorials/Mentoring, Self-paced study sessions: 3


Learning Approaches:
There is a total of 56 hours of contact hours devoted to this unit comprising 26 hours of lectures, 30 hours of tutorials and labs, and general instruction including self-paced reading, formal presentations and other student-centred discussion. Online tutoring including online forum or chat rooms are also available via Blackboard.

This is a highly technical unit and an emphasis will be placed on the solution of technical problems and the knowledge required to solve these problems. Systems engineering will be strongly emphasised and simulation techniques will be taught where applicable. The lectures will be based on industry practice and experience and these will be underpinned by tutorials, site visits, demonstrations, reading and the application of knowledge to solving problems. Tutorial sessions will involve individual questioning as well as group work and student-centred learning rather than guided problem solving, with feedback coming from the whole group. This will enhance the group nature of systems design.

Assessment

Assessment includes two assignments and a final exam. The assessment will be based on small technical task including short reports. A final exam will also be conducted. The final exam will be two hours in length and will be aimed at evaluating problem formulation and solving of problems in the area of Aerospace Navigation System.

You will also undertake some formative (unmarked) problem solving tasks and peer/group discussion to develop and challenge your thinking and learning skills in tutorial sessions throughout the semester.Formative feedback will occur through verbal tutor and peer group interactions throughout the semester. Written and verbal feedback will be provided for problem solving and labs work; assessment results and completed CRA sheets will be available for examinations.

Assessment name: Laboratory/Practical
Description: Problem Solving Task 1/Laboratory-Practical
You will work on small tasks each week from week 1 to 5, in a laboratory environment. You will individually and as part of a group will solve a specific GPS navigation problem. Additionally, as a team you will prepare a written and illustrated report on your assessment on the solution of your task.
Relates to objectives: 1, 4 and 5
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Continuous Weeks 1-6

Assessment name: Laboratory/Practical
Description: Problem Solving Task 2/Laboratory-Practical
This assessment has a lab component where you will develop practical knowledge about kalman filter implementation for avionics, in the context of Inertial Navigation. You will individually and as part of a group will apply discipline knowledge and software programming knowledge to solve a specific problem about inertial navigation. Additionally, the team will prepare a written and illustrated report on your assessment on the task.
Relates to objectives: 3,4 and 5
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Continuous Wks 7-13

Assessment name: Examination (written)
Description: Examination is a mixture of re-call of facts, problem solving using some of the techniques learnt in the class and analysis of these techniques under given circumstances.
Relates to objectives: 1 to 5
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Examination period

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Type: Prescribed Text
Author: Myron Kayton, M, and Fried, W R
Title: Avionics Navigation Systems
Year: Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Type: Reference Book
Author: David Titterton and John Weston
Title: Strapdown Inertial Navigation Technology
Year: Publisher: 2004, Institution of Engineering and Technology

Various references will be advised during lectures. Additional material will be made available through Blackboard website

Risk assessment statement

In this unit you will undertake lectures in the classrooms and lecture theatres. As such, there are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues associated with these components of the unit. The unit will require you to work in the software laboratories at QUT and you will be required to perform the safety inductions for these laboratories. You are also to be aware of the Health and Safety protocols associated with software laboratory work.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 16-May-2012