PRECISION VELOCITY MEASUREMENT FOR INERTIAL GUIDANCE TESTING
Abstract
Two practical solutions are advanced to the problem of measuring the velocity of the center of gravity of a rocket sled to 1 part in 10 to the 5th power over a speed range of 200 to 5,000 ft/sec. Solutions are based on a combined space-time/accelerometer system. The characteristics of the systems and the manner in which they meet the requirements are discussed and a program is outlined whereby either system may be introduced as the standard velocity measuring system for the sled test facility at the Air Force Missile Development Center. In reaching the conclusion that the combined space-time/accelerometer system is the optimum solution, other methods were investigated. Results of these studies of direct physical methods, as well as methods from which velocity may be inferred, are discussed. None of the methods examined was found to offer a satisfactory solution to the problem at hand. I is poi d out that quality of instrumentation must be paramount in developing any velocity measuring system and no amount of statistical operations with the data can compensate for data of poor quality. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0266737
Entities
People
- Peter Felsenthal
- Thomas B. Smith
- William D. Jr. Green