Robust Estimation versus Optimal Estimation and their Application for Airborne Gravimetry

Authors:	Kulakova Veronica I., State University of Aerospace Instrumentation, Russian Federation Nebylov Alexander V., State University of Aerospace Instrumentation, Russian Federation Stepanov Oleg A., Central Scientific & Research Institute Elektropribor, Russian Federation
Topic:	7.3 Aerospace
Session:	Special Problems of Aircraft Control
Keywords:	Optimal and robust estimation, accuracy, sensitivity, airborne gravimetry

Abstract

The efficiency of the robust estimation approach based on the information about the variances of the signal itself and its several derivatives is analyzed. Comprehensive comparison of robust and optimal estimators is performed. It is shown that the robust estimator suggested provides the reliable and precise signal estimation in the presence of noise. The obtained theoretical results are illustrated with an example of an airborne gravimetry problem. Advantages and drawbacks of robust and optimal estimators are demonstrated for various operating conditions.