inertial reference

Noun

inertial reference

1. Any of various devices found in airplanes, missiles, satellites, guns, etc. that sense and calculate data such as linear acceleration and turning rate around each axis and which send that data on to other systems.
   • Moreover, one terminal of M is connected to the inertial reference (IR).1974, Jose Behar Cruz, Mac Elwyn Van Valkenburg, Signals in Linear Circuits, page 532
   • This goal leads to an experiment system design which combines hardward from many technology areas: an optical telescope and IR sensors; and advanced angular intertial reference; a flexible multi-level of actuation digital control system; digital tracking processors which incorporate real-time image...1995, “The High Altituted Balloon Experiment Demonstration of Acquisition, Tracking, and Pointing Technologies”, in Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports, page 2841

   Synonyms:

   IR

2. An inertial frame of reference.
   • The SSM inertial reference sensors (star trackers (ST) and/or coarse sun sensors (CSS)) are not suitable as a tracking reference for the FSM for two reasons.2000, Jim Bernard Breckinridge, Peter Jakobsen, UV, Optical, and IR Space Telescopes and Instruments, page 926
   • In order to achieve an inertial line-of-sight angle measurement most EO/IR missiles use gyroscopic motion within their seeker head, so that the gyroscopic inertia (i.e. angular momentum) provides an inertial reference that may be translated into stabilisation.2004, David Titterton, John L. Weston, Strapdown Inertial Navigation Technology, page 483