In the context of inertial navigation systems (INS), Maximum Error refers to the largest possible error in the system’s output, such as position, velocity, or heading, when compared to the actual or true value.
How it works in INS:
- Calculate the error: For each position or measurement, subtract the estimated value (from the INS) from the actual value (often obtained from a more accurate source like GPS or a reference point).
- Identify the largest error: The Maximum Error is simply the biggest difference you find across all the measurements.
Why it matters in INS:
Maximum Error tells you the worst-case error your system might have made at any point during navigation. It’s useful when you need to understand the largest possible deviation from the true position or heading, which can be important for safety or performance requirements.
