Optoelectronic system for the measurements of ship models trajectory

When using self-propelled ship models, it is necessary to observe and record a trajectory of actual movement and also to determine a current value of velocity and acceleration. An optoelectronic system for determining and recording the trajectory of the model has been developed. It operates over an 150 m×150 m area with a fundamental error of less than 0.1 m and consists of an optical transmitter aboard the model and two stations ashore connected to a computer placed in a remote operational room. The directional angles are measured by two receiving telescopes (one for each station ashore), which are rotating with an angular velocity ~15 rad/s. The coordinates of the model are obtained by simple arithmetic. Errors of measurements and the maximum range of operation are also discussed