Cooperative diagnostics for combinations of large-volume metrology systems

Recent studies show that the combined use of large-volume metrology (LVM) systems (e.g., laser trackers, rotary-laser automatic theodolites, photogrammetric systems, etc.) can lead to a systematic reduction in measurement uncertainty and a better exploitation of the available equipment. The objective of this paper is to present some diagnostic tests for combinations of LVM systems that are equipped with distance and/or angular sensors. Two are the tests presented: a global test to detect the presence of potential anomalies during measurement and a local test to isolate any faulty sensor(s). This diagnostics is based on the cooperation of sensors of different nature, which merge their local measurement data, and it can be implemented in real-time, without interrupting or slowing down the measurement process. The description of the tests is supported by several experimental examples. [Submitted 28 March 2017; Accepted 27 December 2017]