A Telegoniometer (a type of
goniometer
A goniometer is an instrument that either measures an angle or allows an object to be rotated to a precise angular position. The term goniometry derives from two Greek words, Wikt:γωνία, γωνία (''gōnía'') 'angle' and Wikt:μέτρο ...
) is a device for varying the phase relationship(s) among two or more
antennae in an array. This is for steering the directionality of the array without physically moving the antennae. the telegoniometer is commonly used for
radio direction finding
Direction finding (DF), or radio direction finding (RDF), isin accordance with International Telecommunication Union (ITU)defined as radio location that uses the reception of radio waves to determine the direction in which a radio statio ...
, providing very precise bearings from a sensitive fixed site.
A telegoniometer is simply a goniometer with remote control and readout. As an example, it is used on
unmanned spacecraft for the long-range approach phase of automated docking, before more precise (but shorter-range) optical systems take over.
Dimensional instruments
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