German TDC versus US TDC

P_Funk · 04-23-07, 03:38 AM

In this wikipedia article about Torpedo Data Computers it says the the US TDC was far superior to all others, including the German one. Now I always got the impression that the German one was the best.

Can anyone here settle the question? :p

Oh and as an aside, there is a link at the bottom of the wiki to a Subsim thread about making sliderules for Manual TDC.

HM.Medico · 04-23-07, 04:19 AM

Later on in the war I know the US equipment was unbeatable, don't know about early stuff.

I have an old Aus TDC packed away deep, dad got it from his work. Tennix FTW

Bindolaf · 04-23-07, 06:29 AM

From my 20 minutes of playing SHIV I fell in love with the US TDC

Jimbuna · 04-23-07, 07:00 AM

Based purely on ifo I've read over the years, in 39 the german equipment was better but come 43 and the introduction of the MK IV meant the American version was superior

P_Funk · 04-23-07, 07:39 AM

Okay. Then now is when I want to ask: how was it better?

Hitman · 04-23-07, 07:49 AM

Quote:

These nations all developed torpedo fire control computers for calculating torpedo courses to intercept targets, but the TDC added the ability to automatically track the target. The target tracking capabilities of the TDC were unique for submarines during WWII and set the standard for submarine torpedo fire control at that time.

Quoted from your link

That's exactly the reason it was superior. All WW2 TDCs were basically angle solvers, i.e. analog "automated" slide rulers, and as such their output was only as good as their input (Your estimates of range, distance, etc.). But the position keeper was different. It made a "prediction" or "simulation" of the targets movements after your inputs, using the speed, course and all data you gave the TDC. This was useful for two reasons:

1.- Being able to fire with no visual reference -i.e. not raising scope necessary- and also staying aware of tactical situation.

2.- Being able to CHECK wether the target actually behaves as it was expected. If the target is really where the TDC predicts it shall be, then you have a really good firing solution.

P_Funk · 04-23-07, 08:00 AM

Ah. So the American TDC actively tracks the ship based on the input. Very nifty.

I can dig it.

Hitman · 04-23-07, 02:46 PM

Well, not exactly "track" like modern subs do. Tracking as I understand it means that it continuously updates the theoretical position of the enemy with the data it is constantly receiving automatically (No need for crew input except initially assigning the target to an automated "tracker", which will follow it) from sensors like sonar or radar. The WW2 US TDC did not "track" the target in that it did not continuously received updated data -It was manually entered by the crew-, it simply simulated based on the last data entered what the target would be doing if nothing else had changed (Speed/course). You possibly had already understood it, but I just wanted to be more precise, in case it was of interest for you when comparing with modern subs

04-23-07, 03:38 AM	#1
P_Funk Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Canada, eh? Posts: 2,537 Downloads: 129 Uploads: 0	German TDC versus US TDC In this wikipedia article about Torpedo Data Computers it says the the US TDC was far superior to all others, including the German one. Now I always got the impression that the German one was the best. Can anyone here settle the question? :p Oh and as an aside, there is a link at the bottom of the wiki to a Subsim thread about making sliderules for Manual TDC. __________________

04-23-07, 04:19 AM	#2
HM.Medico Helmsman Join Date: May 2006 Location: 60 Knots off shore, In a VIID Posts: 107 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Later on in the war I know the US equipment was unbeatable, don't know about early stuff. I have an old Aus TDC packed away deep, dad got it from his work. Tennix FTW __________________ Creator of The Enigma Room (Assisted greatly by P_Funk) Tonnage Total -: 165 Thousand Tonnes (DDs: 7\|Countless merchants\|Elcos: 4\| Armed Trawlers: 2\| BBs 3) Punctuation is the difference between "I helped my Uncle, Jack, off a horse" and "i helped my uncle jack off a horse" USE GOOD GRAMMAR!

04-23-07, 07:00 AM	#4
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,481 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Based purely on ifo I've read over the years, in 39 the german equipment was better but come 43 and the introduction of the MK IV meant the American version was superior __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

04-23-07, 07:39 AM	#5
P_Funk Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Canada, eh? Posts: 2,537 Downloads: 129 Uploads: 0	Okay. Then now is when I want to ask: how was it better? __________________

04-23-07, 08:00 AM	#7
P_Funk Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Canada, eh? Posts: 2,537 Downloads: 129 Uploads: 0	Ah. So the American TDC actively tracks the ship based on the input. Very nifty. I can dig it. __________________

04-23-07, 06:29 AM	#3
Bindolaf Seaman Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 36 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 0	From my 20 minutes of playing SHIV I fell in love with the US TDC

04-23-07, 02:46 PM	#8
Hitman Pacific Aces Dev Team Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Spain Posts: 6,109 Downloads: 109 Uploads: 2	Well, not exactly "track" like modern subs do. Tracking as I understand it means that it continuously updates the theoretical position of the enemy with the data it is constantly receiving automatically (No need for crew input except initially assigning the target to an automated "tracker", which will follow it) from sensors like sonar or radar. The WW2 US TDC did not "track" the target in that it did not continuously received updated data -It was manually entered by the crew-, it simply simulated based on the last data entered what the target would be doing if nothing else had changed (Speed/course). You possibly had already understood it, but I just wanted to be more precise, in case it was of interest for you when comparing with modern subs __________________ One day I will return to sea ...