Quaternion derivative ambiguity

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the ambiguity in the definition of quaternion derivatives as presented in "Quaternions and Rotation Sequences" by Jack B. Kuipers. The two definitions highlighted are: \(\frac{dq}{dt}=q(t)\overline{\omega}(t)\) and \(\frac{dq}{dt}=\frac{1}{2}q(t)\omega(t)\). The discrepancy arises from differing interpretations of angular velocity, where \(\omega(t)\) represents the angular velocity of the body axis relative to the fixed frame. The factor of 2 difference in the definitions is a key point of confusion in quaternion mathematics.

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softec17
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In Quaternions and Rotation Sequences by Jack B. Kuipers (pg. 264-265)
the quaternion derivative is defined as:

\frac{dq}{dt}=q(t)\overline{\omega}(t)

But in many published papers, I have seen the derivative defined instead as

\frac{dq}{dt}=\frac{1}{2}q(t)\omega(t)

Why is there a discrepancy? Is there some nomenclature that is different. I am assuming \omega(t) to be the angular velocity of the body axis wrt the fixed frame and the quaternion is used to transform a vector from the fixed frame to the body frame.

Thanks for any help.
 
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Probably the two definitions of \omega differ by the factor of 2.
 

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