A vehicle borne acceleration integrator for computing velocity data

An electronic unit, called an Incremental Velocity Meter, developed to measure the third stage velocity increment of the Black Arrow satellite launching vehicle is described. The Incremental Velocity Meter is used in conjunction with an onboard longitudinal accelerometer. The technique employed is to continually integrate the accelerometer output between limits corresponding to a specified velocity increment. The increments are summed in an accumulator to give the vehicle's total velocity. Although the unit was designed to be compatible with the Black Arrow Type 465 MHz telemetry system, the technique can be adapted for use with other telemetry systems, and the principle of operation can be used with great accuracy to integrate parameters other than acceleration.