Absolute multilateration-based coordinate measurement system using retroreflecting glass spheres

We have measured the three-dimensional coordinates of retroreflecting glass spheres using a multilateration technique. To this end, distances between each target and our measurement heads been determined by an in-house prototype electro-optical absolute distance meter. The used targets are refractive index n = 2 diameter 14.2 mm. They offer much larger aperture than corner cubes lower cost, but they present low reflectivity. However, paper shows that with proper collimation laser beams it is possible to reach range operation 20 m. standard uncertainty on such better 11 μm, including mechanical errors gimbal mechanisms aiming systems. This has validated thanks comparison interferometric bench. In addition, 16 self-calibration algorithm also confirmed performances developed system: deviation position estimated about 10 μm.