Analysis of the Effect of Tilted Corner Cube Reflector Arrays on Lunar Laser Ranging

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Cao, Jin, Tang, Rufeng, Huang, Kai, Li, Zhulian, Yang, Yongzhang, Li, Jintao, Li, Yuqiang
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
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author Cao, Jin
Tang, Rufeng
Huang, Kai
Li, Zhulian
Yang, Yongzhang
Huang, Kai
Li, Jintao
Li, Yuqiang
author_facet Cao, Jin
Tang, Rufeng
Huang, Kai
Li, Zhulian
Yang, Yongzhang
Huang, Kai
Li, Jintao
Li, Yuqiang
contents This paper primarily investigates the effect of the tilt of corner cube reflector (CCR) arrays on lunar laser ranging (LLR). A mathematical model was established to study the random errors caused by the tilt of the CCR arrays. The study found that, ideally, when the laser ranging pulse width is 10 picoseconds or less, it is possible to distinguish from which specific corner cubes within the CCR array each peak in the echo signal originates. Consequently, partial data from the echo can be extracted for signal processing, significantly reducing random errors and improving the single-shot precision of LLR. The distance obtained by extracting part of the echo can be reduced to the center position of the array, thereby providing multiple higher-precision ranging results from each measurement. This not only improves the precision of LLR but also increases the data volume. A simulation experiment based on the 1.2 m laser ranging system at Yunnan Observatories was conducted. By extracting one peak for signal processing, the single-shot precision improved from 32.24 mm to 2.52 mm, validating the theoretical analysis results. Finally, an experimental laser ranging system based on a 53 cm binocular telescope system was established for ground experiments. The experimental results indicated that the echo signal could identify the tilt state of the CCR array. By extracting the peak returned by the central CCR for signal processing, the ranging precision was greatly improved. Through theoretical analyses, simulation experiments, and ground experiments, a solution to reduce the random errors caused by the tilt of the CCR array was provided. This offers an approach to enhance the single-shot precision of future LLR and provides a reference for upgrading ground-based equipment at future laser ranging stations.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2408_09260
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Analysis of the Effect of Tilted Corner Cube Reflector Arrays on Lunar Laser Ranging
Cao, Jin
Tang, Rufeng
Huang, Kai
Li, Zhulian
Yang, Yongzhang
Huang, Kai
Li, Jintao
Li, Yuqiang
Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics
Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
Instrumentation and Detectors
This paper primarily investigates the effect of the tilt of corner cube reflector (CCR) arrays on lunar laser ranging (LLR). A mathematical model was established to study the random errors caused by the tilt of the CCR arrays. The study found that, ideally, when the laser ranging pulse width is 10 picoseconds or less, it is possible to distinguish from which specific corner cubes within the CCR array each peak in the echo signal originates. Consequently, partial data from the echo can be extracted for signal processing, significantly reducing random errors and improving the single-shot precision of LLR. The distance obtained by extracting part of the echo can be reduced to the center position of the array, thereby providing multiple higher-precision ranging results from each measurement. This not only improves the precision of LLR but also increases the data volume. A simulation experiment based on the 1.2 m laser ranging system at Yunnan Observatories was conducted. By extracting one peak for signal processing, the single-shot precision improved from 32.24 mm to 2.52 mm, validating the theoretical analysis results. Finally, an experimental laser ranging system based on a 53 cm binocular telescope system was established for ground experiments. The experimental results indicated that the echo signal could identify the tilt state of the CCR array. By extracting the peak returned by the central CCR for signal processing, the ranging precision was greatly improved. Through theoretical analyses, simulation experiments, and ground experiments, a solution to reduce the random errors caused by the tilt of the CCR array was provided. This offers an approach to enhance the single-shot precision of future LLR and provides a reference for upgrading ground-based equipment at future laser ranging stations.
title Analysis of the Effect of Tilted Corner Cube Reflector Arrays on Lunar Laser Ranging
topic Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics
Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
Instrumentation and Detectors
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2408.09260