Calibration Surface Design and Validation for Terrain Measurement Systems

摘要

Traditionally, terrain profilers have been evaluated based on their ability to reproduce measurements made from some reference device (e.g., a rod and level). The measurement error inherent in these reference measurements has become significant as terrain profilers have become more accurate. This work develops the design requirements of a calibration surface that will provide an absolute reference by which to compare measured terrain profiles, and the event is used to test the accuracy of an inertial profiler. Four main requirements must be considered when designing a calibration surface. First, sharp-edged high bandwidth events must be implemented, and the surface must have a varying reflectivity to test the terrain profiler's ability to measure the relative distance from itself to the terrain. The calibration surface must also gage the profiler's ability to repeatedly measure longitudinal distance. Finally, the event must be easily transported and reproducible. An implementation example is used to demonstrate a potential calibration surface design and accuracy verification procedure.