Method and apparatus for calculating altitude based on barometric and GPS measurements

At least one embodiment of the present invention generally relates to the use of a filter to obtain a correction quantity to correct barometric altimeter readings based on GPS and barometric measurements. At least one embodiment of the present invention generally relates to adjusting the filter between multiple filter gains to account for the rate at which local pressure factors change to correct for errors introduced into the barometric altimeter readings. At least one embodiment of the present invention generally relates to barometer correction based on statistical models that predict drift in the barometer output. At least one embodiment relates to a method for calibrating an atmospheric model used to correct barometric altimeter readings. A navigation device and a method of calibrating the same are provided. The device includes a barometric pressure sensor and a GPS receiver. A processor calculates barometric and GPS derived altitudes and, based on a difference therebetween, corrects barometer altitude readings that would otherwise include drift errors. The processor uses a filter, such as a state feedback loop, to determine correction factors. The state feedback loop is adjustable to operate with different time constants. An error drift model is empirically determined and used to set the time constant. The time constant may be adjusted during operation based on a relation between the barometer correction quantity and an uncertainty in the vertical component of the GPS derived altitude. The method includes updating and recalibrating an atmospheric pressure model used to derive altitudes from the output of the barometric pressure sensor.