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Virginia Tech

The transformation of oscillatory equations in six degree of freedom re-entry trajectory models with coordinate transformations

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Currently, many missile fire control systems use a three degree of freedom (3-DOF) trajectory model. The three degrees of freedom represent the linear motion of the missile in three dimensions. A 6-DOF model adds roll, pitch, and yaw, or angular motion in three dimensions to the first three degrees of freedom. Because more of the missile’s attributes are modeled, a 6-DOF model is more accurate than a 3-DOF model. For the same reason, a 3-DOF model is easier to develop and executes faster. Also, because a 3-DOF model ignores the seemingly random angular motion, the step sizes used to integrate 3-DOF models are larger. The goal of this project is to develop a 6-DOF re-entry model with the accuracy of a 6-DOF model with conventional equations of motion and computational speed at least comparable to the 3-DOF model. This can be achieved by transforming the equations that compute the effects of angular motion so that they are better conditioned. Essentially, this is done by fitting a sine wave to the oscillating state variables representing the orientation and angular rates, namely the quaternions and the angular velocity. This thesis shows the results of transforming the oscillating variables of the state vector.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Computer Science
Department dc:contributor.department
Computer Science
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
1994

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Davailus, George P.
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Ribbens, Calvin J.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Cooper, Eugene Augustus Jr.
  • Watson, Layne T.

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-09052009-040644
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/44585

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
related terms
citation

Davailus, George P.. The transformation of oscillatory equations in six degree of freedom re-entry trajectory models with coordinate transformations. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 1994. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/44585