Complete comparator calibration

The complete measurement and data reduction procedures used to perform routine comparator calibrations for quality control of all comparator measurements are presented. The techniques and mathematical models developed are applicable to all measuring comparators including those with rectangular formats. The mathematical model used for the isolation of linear systematic errors consists of a new exact solution of the general linear transformation problem, from which the calibration parameters are exactly derived functions. Polynomials are applied to define the systematic nonlinear errors inherent in the comparator. The adjustment residuals are presented in the coordinate systems of both the measurements and the grid in order to isolate grid errors from random errors. Rigorous statistical analyses of all system components and results are included. These statistics isolate the errors of the pointings, the grid, the comparator, and the residual system noise (random errors). The accompanying versatile FORTRAN-coded computer program provides numerous computational options and several graphic outputs to permit easy diagnostic evaluation of the complete measurement system. 1973 NOS (National Ocean Service) Library Public domain 1936