CALIBRATION CAPABILITIES OF THE ESF INSTRUMENT BRANCH

To gather the required performance test data at the AEDC, a complex network of test instrumentation and data gathering equipment must operate as a system. Reliable test data depend upon the reliability of each individual unit of the system therefore, known standards must be established to meet specific requirements. In addition, various research groups are engaged in special projects often requiring some accuracy level in the measurement of physical variables. In todays technology of the space age, pressure is continuously exerted to obtain greater performance from all systems. Increased performance of complex systems and the necessary interchangeability of components require measurements of known accuracy or compatibility in a variety of quantities. The purpose of this document is to present the hierarchy of measurements for various units that are derived from national standards and disseminated through the ESF Instrument Branch. This information should enable the users of measuring equipment to better know the capability of their equipment and to have confidence in the results obtained by specifying the level of calibration desired.