Application of Algorithms for High Precision Metrology

This paper evaluates the performance of algorithms suitable for processing the measurements from two laser beam metrology systems, with particular reference to the Gaia Basic Angle Monitoring device. The system and signal characteristics are reviewed in order to define the key operating features. The low-level algorithms are defined according to different approaches, starting with a simple, model free method, and progressing to a strategy based on the signal template and variance. The signal model is derived from measured data sets. The performance at microarcsec level is verified by simulation in conditions ranging from noiseless to large perturbations.