A dual filtering approach in MEMS based dynamic attitude estimation

The problem considered in this paper is the design of a low cost MEMS based attitude estimation unit to be used in ultralight, experimental and sport pilot aircrafts as auxiliary safety tool in VFR flight conditions. The proposed approach relies on a new data fusion scheme based on a dual Kalman filter design and on acceleration-based switch criteria. Attitude information is extracted from the states of the filters under the restriction of non aerobatic uses that allows the introduction of a priori limits in roll and pitch angles.