A cinetheodolite (a.k.a. ''kinetheodolite'') is a photographic instrument for collection of
trajectory
A trajectory or flight path is the path that an object with mass in motion follows through space as a function of time. In classical mechanics, a trajectory is defined by Hamiltonian mechanics via canonical coordinates; hence, a complete traj ...
data. It can be used to acquire data in the testing of
missile
In military terminology, a missile is a guided airborne ranged weapon capable of self-propelled flight usually by a jet engine or rocket motor. Missiles are thus also called guided missiles or guided rockets (when a previously unguided rocket i ...
s,
rocket
A rocket (from it, rocchetto, , bobbin/spool) is a vehicle that uses jet propulsion to accelerate without using the surrounding air. A rocket engine produces thrust by reaction to exhaust expelled at high speed. Rocket engines work entirely fr ...
s,
projectile
A projectile is an object that is propelled by the application of an external force and then moves freely under the influence of gravity and air resistance. Although any objects in motion through space are projectiles, they are commonly found in ...
s,
aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air. It counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines ...
, and
fire control system
A fire-control system (FCS) is a number of components working together, usually a gun data computer, a director, and radar, which is designed to assist a ranged weapon system to target, track, and hit a target. It performs the same task as a ...
s; in the
ripple firing of rockets, graze action tests,
air burst
An air burst or airburst is the detonation of an explosive device such as an anti-personnel artillery shell or a nuclear weapon in the air instead of on contact with the ground or target. The principal military advantage of an air burst over ...
fuze
In military munitions, a fuze (sometimes fuse) is the part of the device that initiates function. In some applications, such as torpedoes, a fuze may be identified by function as the exploder. The relative complexity of even the earliest fuze d ...
tests, and similar operations. Cinetheodolites provide angular measurements of the line of sight to the vehicle. This permits acquiring accurate position data. Together with timing systems, velocity and acceleration data can be developed from the position measurements. Cinetheodolites can serve as primary sources of position and velocity data to about 30 km
slant range.
These instruments were developed from
theodolite
A theodolite () is a precision optical instrument for measuring angles between designated visible points in the horizontal and vertical planes. The traditional use has been for land surveying, but it is also used extensively for building and i ...
s by the addition of a
movie camera, adding the ability to track a vehicle in flight and so obtain continuous trajectory data.
Introduction
One of the objectives of testing missile and rocket systems is to determine the actual "in-flight" performance of the vehicles themselves. One of the prime requirements for establishing the performance of vehicles in flight is to obtain accurate data which will reveal the position in space and the attitude of the vehicle during its trajectory. The employment of optics at a missile range may become highly significant in obtaining these data, if the atmosphere permits reasonably unobstructed observation, and if, moreover, an all-land test area makes possible optimum siting of instruments for most desirable look angles. Under these conditions, optics in general, and
photogrammetry
Photogrammetry is the science and technology of obtaining reliable information about physical objects and the environment through the process of recording, measuring and interpreting photographic images and patterns of electromagnetic radiant ima ...
in particular, correlated with other instrumentation systems, can provide effective and accurate data of target trajectory.
Description
The cinetheodolite is a combination motion-picture-recording and surveying instrument which tracks and photographs targets (in flight vehicles, etc.). Cinetheodolites are employed in synchronized pairs, and azimuth/elevation data recorded on film is later reduced by trigonometry to establish position and movement of the target at a given moment. The recorded visual images and synchronizing pulse assure accuracy. German and UK WW2 cinetheodolites were large and complex, requiring two operators while USA versions were more compact with a single operator. The USA instruments served wartime and postwar aviation research and aircraft/missile evaluation (White Sands Test Base/Missile Range) until 1950 and the arrival of the more capable German Askania units.
Postwar models had selectable
frame rate
Frame rate (expressed in or FPS) is the frequency (rate) at which consecutive images (frames) are captured or displayed. The term applies equally to film and video cameras, computer graphics, and motion capture systems. Frame rate may also be ca ...
s. Some cinetheodolites have rate-aided tracking control, whereby an
open loop servomechanism
In control engineering a servomechanism, usually shortened to servo, is an automatic device that uses error-sensing negative feedback to correct the action of a mechanism. On displacement-controlled applications, it usually includes a built-in ...
in conjunction with operator actuated hand wheels match the angular rates of the tracking axis with the angular rates of the target line of position.
Cinetheodolites consist of a stable base and bearing, a vertical
gimbal or
trunnion carrier which rotates about a vertical axis normal to the plane of the base; a central drum or housing which contains the system telescopic lenses, plus a camera and film assembly; a horizontal trunnion shaft on which the central drum is mounted so that it can rise or dip about the horizontal axis; and the sighting
telescope
A telescope is a device used to observe distant objects by their emission, absorption, or reflection of electromagnetic radiation. Originally meaning only an optical instrument using lenses, curved mirrors, or a combination of both to observe ...
s, which are also mounted on the horizontal trunnion shaft.
Manufacturers
Notable cinetheodolite manufacturers include Ackeley Camera Co., Mitchell Camera Corp.,J. W. Fecker Division, American Optical Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. (USA), iMAR Navigation GmbH, St. Ingbert (Germany),
''Modern Cinetheodolites in Worldwide Use / EMBOW XIV''
/ref> "Askania Werke Rathenow" (Germany), Rheinmetall Air Defence (formerly Contraves AG, Switzerland), and BELOMO (Belarus).
PhotoSonics, Inc. (California, USA)
References
{{Reflist}
Cinetheodolites
Materiel Test Procedure 5-1-031, White Sands Missile Range, 31 March 1969
Measuring instruments
Articles containing video clips