Base-line calibrations of the Mini-Ranger III and the role of signal strength in correcting real-time hydrographic position data.

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Author
Hillard, Bruce F.
Date
1986-06Advisor
Schaefer, Glen R.
Second Reader
Anderson, Alan D.
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Five base-line calibrations of the Motorola Mini-Ranger
III (MRS III) shortwave positioning system were performed
across Puget Sound, Washington, in January 1984. Two MRS
III codes were calibrated over measured distances of 1061.2,
2417.5, 4083.1, 7016.8, and 9861.1 meters. Reference lengths
were obtained to submeter accuracy using a Tellurometer
,
Model CA-1000.
Results of the data analysis suggest that an optimum
base-line length of about 2,500 meters provides a characteristic
calibration curve that adequately depicts all equipment
configurations for a typical MRS III. The calibration
curve was best characterized by high-gain antenna data for
two Mini-Ranger codes. The high-gain antenna also exhibited
the least sample deviation of the three antenna types calibrated.
Range average was found to be insignificant. Regression
curves applied to the data showed no change in
quality of fit above a power of three and variances of 0.5
meters indicated a fair to good fit of the data.