Digital Data Processor for Tracking the Partially Illuminated Moon*

A study of lunar tracking techniques and fabrication
of a breadboard to assess the feasibility 
of the best technique selected was conducted to define
a tracking system for observation of the sight line 
to the center of a partially illuminated moon.  The
data processing portion of the system is presented 
in detail and then described in general are the operation
of the tracker head assembly for data readout, 
the operation of the entire system and the effect data
processing considerations have on the design of 
the tracker system.  The system basically consists of
an optical sensor, digital computer and tracker 
drive mechanism.  The three system units, connected
in cascade, comprise the control loop.  For this 
application, an optical telescope with a radial mechanical
scanning mechanism was used that read out 
lunar sight line measurement information.  This information
is sequentially read into a special purpose 
digital computer that extracts the measurements and
computes the error signals that drive the tracker 
to the appropriate attitude.

CACM March, 1964

Wilcox, H. J.

CA640324 JB March 10, 1978  2:02 AM

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