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Hermann-Blenk-Straße 27 Telefon: +49-531-391-9802 |
Scientific activities of the institute are mainly carried out in the fields of
Beside its basic research the Institute is frequently involved in research and development programs with industrial partners which leads to system developments for commercial applications.
The Institute of Flight Guidance and Control (IFF) from the Technical University of Braunschweig is led by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Peter Hecker. The Institute employs approximately 30 staff, 25 research engineers included. The scientific works at the laboratory are supported by qualified specialists in the secretarial office, in the electronics laboratory and in the precision workshop. The Institute technically consults the German Ministry of Transport, the ICAO and ESA (ARTES Element 9) in the field of satellite navigation.
Since 1970 precision navigation is a field of research at the Institute of Flight Guidance and Control at Braunschweig Technical University. In the seventies curved MLS-guided flight paths were of high interest (MLS = Microwave Landing System). Since 1986 the US-American Global Positioning System (GPS) gained attention for many navigation purposes. By means of complementary combination of satellite based and inertial navigation aids the precision of positioning in a dynamic environment was significantly augmented. A program initiated by the German Ministry of Research and Technology (BMFT) focusing on punctuality and safety in regional aviation has been carried out at the Institute. As a result it was proved in theory, simulations and practice that satellite based navigation aids are an appropriate means to be used for airborne applications even under critical conditions, e. g. precision landing approaches. The worldwide first automatic landing of an aircraft guided by GPS was performed by scientists of the Institute of Flight Guidance with their Dornier DO 28 research aircraft during an international symposium on satellite navigation in July 1989 at Braunschweig airfield. It was demonstrated that the accuracy requirements of ICAO CAT III for high precision approaches and landings can be achieved by such an integrated navigation system. Prof. Schänzer and members of the Institute were consequently awarded with respect to their contribution to high precision navigation, e.g. the Philip-Morris-Research-Award 1993 and the Technology Transfer Prize 1986 + 1993 of the Braunschweig Chamber of Commerce.
The variety of the Institute's activities that are frequently linked to precise positioning yielded widely spread knowledge on areas like data acquisition, transmission and evaluation. During the recent years new fields of activity evolved from the land based application of precise navigation systems. The Institute participates in telemetric application program for railroad traffic, public transport and special services, e.g. the development of an electronic guide dog as a service module for visually impaired people. Additional fields of research and development are:
A twin engine experimental aircraft DO 128 is at the Institute's disposition. It is equipped with extensive avionics, experimental sensors, actuators and computers. Two real-time flight simulators are maintained. One is equipped with an original Fairchild Metro II cockpit and vision, the other with an experimental cockpit. An experimental van is used for automatic taxi guidance investigations. It is equipped with navigation sensors, actuators and board computers for automatic vehicle guidance and control. The members of the Institute are all equipped with their personal PC which are linked to a local network. A link to the University's computing facilities allows for access to external networks.
Contact:
Institute of Flight Guidance
Hermann-Blenk-Str. 27
D - 38108 Braunschweig
Germany
Tel.: ++49 - 531 - 391 - 9802
Fax.: ++49 - 531 - 391 - 9804
E-mail: iff@tu-braunschweig.de
Responsible:
Prof. Dr. Peter Hecker
Feedback to iff@tu-braunschweig.de
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