Title :
Basic investigations on an angle measurement system using a laser
Author :
Takano, Tadashi ; Yonehara, Satoshi
Author_Institution :
Inst. of Space & Astronaut. Sci., Sagamihara, Japan
fDate :
7/1/1990 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
A novel, precise angle gauge is proposed. Incoming laser light is fed to the system through two separate condensing lenses. The phase difference between two rays is compensated by a phase modulator to hold a constant interference condition. The angle of the incoming light is measured by the modulation voltage. In comparison with conventional angle gauges, its advantages are high measurement accuracy, simple structure, and compatibility to feedback control systems. Because of these advantages, the angle gauge is suitable for navigation using angular information. Some examples of possible applications are provided. The experimental system was formed to be compatible with practical conditions and performance were verified experimentally. It is shown that an angle resolution less than 1×10-7 rd can be expected
Keywords :
angular measurement; light interferometry; measurement by laser beam; navigation; nonelectric sensing devices; He-Ne laser; angle gauge; angle measurement; attitude measurement; compatibility; condensing lenses; constant interference; feedback control; interferometer; machinery; modulation voltage; navigation; phase difference; phase modulator; spacecraft tracking; Extraterrestrial measurements; Goniometers; Interference; Laser theory; Lenses; Navigation; Optical modulation; Phase measurement; Phase modulation; Voltage;
Journal_Title :
Aerospace and Electronic Systems, IEEE Transactions on