motors are attached to the projector orientation motions, the
tracing table motion is controlled by a set of xy drives, and
the tracing platen is replaced by a cathode ray tube which
performs an automatic correlation of the two images received,
The error signal generated by the correlator drives the machine
in one of three operational modes:
1. Relative orientation. When the tracing rable is
brought to the conventional points for relative orientation,
the x error signal drives the correlator in elevation; the y
error signal drives the servo motor for the appropriate
orientation motion. In this way relative orientation is reached
rapidly and accurately.
2. Contouring. The correlator is set at a fixed
elevation. The error signals are then directed to the xy
table drive motors, and the tracing table plots the contour
line on the map sheet. A human operator is still required to
override when ground cover, buildings, etc. confuse the
correlator, but even with this limitation, contouring is ac-
complished approximately five times faster than by the unaided
operator.
3. Profiling. The horizontal motion of the tracing table
is constrained along a line of any azimuth. The error signal
then moves the correlator in elevation and the tracing table
along the selected azimuth.
At the moment, the output of the instrument is entirely
graphical. Hence, although the contouring ability would add
materially to the highway design system, the profiles are not
immediately applicable. But the combination of the Stereomat
and the next instrument to be described would fit the bill
exactly.
The Integrated Mapping System is under development by
Fairchild Camera and Instrument Corporation for the Army Map
Service, There are three instrumental components to this
system.
1. A modified double projection stereoplotter. The
heart of this system is shown in Figure 7. The tracing table
is motor driven in the x direction along a bar which can be
moved in selected small increments of y. The essential
operation of the plotter is thus to trace out successive
profiles. On the first pass the elevation of the tracing
platen is controlled by the operator. At the same time the
elevation versus x position are recorded digitally on magnetic
tape. This tape can then be used to drive the platen back
across the same profile so that the operator can monitor what
he has done and override it where it seems necessary. When
he is satisfied with the profile he can commit it to memory
13