Error Sources in Coordinate Transformation Software
• There are many possible error sources in development of software for coordinate transformations.
- Did we mention distortions yet?
- Truncation errors are due to the use of a finite number of terms in an infinite series.
- Approximation error is due to approximating one function with another (simpler to compute) function.
- Iteration error is the due to the use of a finite number of iterations in an iterative process.
- Formulation errors are due to the analyst developing the incorrect equations or logic. This includes improper formulations near singular points, improper treatment of signs, incorrect treatment of units and others.
- Implementation errors are are due to improper coding of the correct formulation.
- Roundoff errors are those caused by finite word length computers.