Course Catalogue

Navigation Systems 4 ENG4184

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Engineering
  • Credits: 10
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 1
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This course introduces the engineering principles and current technology behind navigation systems.  The course is broadly split into two sections, the first covering navigation equations and inertial methods, and the second covering satellite-based navigation and integrated navigation methods.

Timetable

2 lectures per week

Requirements of Entry

Mandatory Entry Requirements

None

Recommended Entry Requirements

Course on basic flight mechanics

Excluded Courses

ENG5062 Navigation Systems

SIT4042 Navigation Systems 4S

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

100% Examination

Main Assessment In: December

Course Aims

This course aims to introduce the technology of modern navigation systems, particularly inertial and satellite-based systems.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ define position in terms of latitude, longitude and height, and be capable of deriving the great circle distance between two points using a transformation approach;

■ explain the different methods of inertial navigation and the sensors used in realising practical inertial navigation systems;

■ derive the navigation equations in appropriate sets of axes;

■ describe the basic principle of operation of a global navigation satellite system;

■ assess the error sources in computing a pseudo-range estimate;

■ solve the equations for calculating a position estimate from a given satellite constellation.

■ understand the principles behind integrated navigation systems and the importance of the Kalman Filter.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions