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Inertial Component Testing - Philosophy and Methods

Vehicle space, established by structural members, and some external space chosen
as the reference in describing desired paths of motion are two essential entities
that always appear in systems for control, navigation and guidance. Equipment

to provide these functions must include computing and readout subsystems to cal-
culate desired geOmetrical relationships between the two spaces on the basis of
sensed information with indications of vehicle orientation, location, velocity, dir-
ection, deviations, etc. , as outputs. Computations and indications require com-
plex electro-mechanical and electronic arrangements, but under the circumstances
of today's advanced technology do not impose fundamental limits in either perfor-
mance or reliability. Even less troublesome are vehicle coordinates which be-
come available through the simple alignment and mounting of components to con-
venient structural members. Reference space, from which orientations and loca-
tions of vehicle coordinates may be accurately represented in terms of signals
suitable as computing system inputs, may be realized in many ways but requires
especially careful design and construction if it is to be achieved by means of self-
contained mechanizations. As a matter of experience with well-engineered
equipment, the problems associated with these mechanizations are usually the
factors that determine performance and reliabilty for present-day control, navi-
gation and guidance systems.

External space to which orientation and location of vehicle space may be related is
easily available when good visual, radio, radar or other electro-magnetic radia-
tion contacts exist with landmarks on the earth. In situations of this kind the
earth's surface itself serves as the reference space so it is a simple matter to
choose coordinates especially convenient for any given set of circumstances.
When lines of sight to heavenly bodies are available, the celestial sphere is avai-
lable for use as an auxiliary reference space for paths either on the earth, in
orbit or among celestial bodies.