Sensor Placement for Angular Velocity Determination

Velocity transducer placement to uniquely determine the angular velocity of a rigid body is investigated. The angular velocity of a rigid body can be determined with no fewer than five properly placed velocity transducers, if no other types of sensors are present and no algebraic constraint equation involving the angular velocity vector can be written. Complete characterization of the velocity of a rigid body requires six transducers. Choice of transducer placement and orientation requires care, as suboptimal transducer placement can result in data from which the determination of a unique angular velocity vector is impossible. Conditions for successful transducer placement are established, and two examples of adequate transducer placement are presented: an Earth-penetrating projectile, and a bioengineering device for the measurement of head motion.