A new methodology to design multi-sensor networks for distributed large-volume metrology systems based on triangulation

•A new methodology to support the design of multi-sensor networks for distributed LVM systems is presented.•The methodology allows to find an appropriate network configuration, compatible with measurement uncertainty and cost.•The plausibility of the results was checked through some preliminary experiments.•The proposed methodology was automated through an ad hoc routine, developed in Matlab®. Distributed Large-Volume Metrology (LVM) systems are mainly used for industrial applications concerning assembly and dimensional verification of large-sized objects. These systems generally consist of a set of network devices, distributed around the measurement volume, and some targets to be localized, in contact with the measured object's surface or mounted on a hand-held probe for measuring the points of interest. Target localization is carried out through several approaches, which use angular and/or distance measurements by network devices. This paper presents a new methodology to support the design of networks of devices, for distributed LVM systems based on triangulation (i.e., systems in which network devices perform angular measurements only). It is assumed that these systems use multi-sensor networks including two typologies of devices: some are accurate but expensive and other ones are less accurate but cheaper. The goal of the methodology is establishing a link between the following parameters: (i) density of network devices, (ii) mix between the two typologies of network devices, (iii) measurement uncertainty, and (iv) cost. The methodology allows to estimate the most appropriate density and mix between the two typologies of network devices, so that the distributed LVM system is conforming with the required measurement uncertainty and cost. The methodology relies on a large number of simulated experiments, defined and implemented using a dedicated routine; feasibility and practicality is tested by preliminary experiments on a multi-sensor photogrammetric system, developed at Politecnico di Torino—DIGEP.