Multiple absolute distances-based 3D coordinate measurement system for mobile machines

Abstract

In this study, we develop a 3D coordinate measurement system based on a multilateration technique and an absolute distance metrology for a mobile machine platform. Since the multilateration only uses distance values without angle measurements, it is possible to make 3D coordinate measurements with high accuracy in a large area. In addition, absolute distance is suitable for industrial application because of enabling real-time continuous measurement after the obstruction. The system is composed of four laser tracking stations and a four channel absolute distance meter which is a fs pulse laser based high accuracy absolute distance measurement. In order to measure 3D coordinate of targets, each tracker measures a distance value with real time tracking, and multilateration algorithm is applied to derive 3D coordinate values using the measured distance values. This paper introduces the multiple absolute distances based 3D coordinate measurement system and discusses in detail.