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Pedestal Error Determination System (PEDS)
Computer Software Package
PEDS provides a quick and automated process for calibrating an elevation over azimuth radar and optical tracking pedestal using stellar targets.
Stars are used for calibrations for a number of reasons:
Standard Features:
- Star positions are known to sub arc-second accuracy.
- Stars are point source targets, ideal for centroid tracking.
- Stars are at such a great distance, no parallax corrections (optical offset from pedestal axis) are necessary.
- Star targets are available over a wide range of azimuth and elevation angles, thereby providing a means to more accurately model errors.
- The following terms are usually determined from a star calibration:
- Encoder bias
- Optical misalignment
- Optical droop
- Pedestal mislevel
- Pedestal wobble
- Sufficient stars can be seen in the daytime with a 3000mm focal length lens.
Features:
- Simple and intuitive graphical user interface
- Runs under Windows 2000/XP
- Interface to system computer is via TCP/IP
- Fully automatic operation (in addition to manual)
- Automatic operation will shoot 30 stars in less than 15 minutes
- Performs regression after data collection to determine error model coefficients
- Error model can be tailored to user requirements.
- Apparent positions of stars calculated to sub arc second accuracy
- Regression typically produces 3-5 arc second residuals (RMS)
Screen Shots:
Initial GUI at program startup. Connected to system computer and waiting for operator input. White buttons are available for selection.
An automatic star calibration is in process. Green button indicates function is active.
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