PROTOTYPE DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING AUTOMATED ASTRONOMIC POSITIONING SYSTEM

摘要

The Automated Astronomic Positioning System (AAPS) is a portable astro-geodetic field instrument developed to provide astronomic latitude and longitude. It is impersonal, automatic, and performs most of the computations at the site using a miniature 469 computer. These features substantially reduce the training and office computations currently required for conventional methods. This report covers the fabrication and testing of two prototype systems. Field tests have thoroughly demonstrated the ease of operation and environmental survival originally hoped for in the design. Major site equipment items weigh a total of 65 kg (144 lbs.) and come in three pieces: a Sensor Head, containing optics, leveling system, and photodetectors; a Control Unit, containing computer, clock, and control-display panel; and a battery pack capable of a minimum of 10 hours system operation. Position accuracy has been demonstrated to the plus or minus 0.35 arc second (one sigma) level after averaging six reversal pairs of data and correcting for instrument biases.