STREAMLINED METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ALIGNING A SENSOR TO ANAIRCRAFT

摘要

An apparatus for sensing mis-alignment between an aircraft inertial referen ce frame and a reference frame of an attached sensor is disclosed. The apparatu s includes a first laser mounted on the sensor and in the center of and normal to a first measuring surface; and, a second laser also mounted on the sensor perpendicular to the first laser and in the center of and normal to a second measuring surfac e. A first reflector is mounted to and aligned with the inertial reference frame of the aircraft and is disposed for reflecting a beam of light from the first laser, whereby misalignment in roll and yaw between the sensor and the aircraft is reflected on the first measuring surface. In a similar manner, a second reflector is mounted to and aligned with the inertial reference frame of the aircraft and perpendicular to the first reflector, and is disposed for reflecting a beam of light from the second laser, whereby misalignment in roll and pitch between the sensor and the aircraft is reflected on the second measuring surface. The misalignment bias may later be read manually or electronically, and then used by the aircraft's or sensor's computer system to compensate for the misalignment bias.