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EP0636898A1 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Three dimensional imaging millimeter wave tracking and guidance system

Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1994-07-26
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2014-07-26
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Abstract

Abstract An improved imaging system. The inventive imaging system (10) is adapted to transmit a plurality of first radar signals at millimeter wave frequencies at an area including an object along with background clutter. The return signals are processed to provide a three dimensional image for applications demanding visibility through fog, haze, smoke and other obscurants. Such applications include enhanced vision for helicopters, ships, buses, trucks, traffic observation stations for an intelligent highway or security cameras for plants and military installations. In a guidance system application, for example, the inventive system would include an electronically scanning antenna (12) to provide range and amplitude signals representative of a target area. The range and amplitude signals (18, 20) are compared to stored signals (26, 30) to create the three dimensional image. The stored signals are selected for comparison based on the dive angle of the missile (28, 32). The three dimensional image is then processed (22, 24, 34, 36, 38, 40) to derive guidance commands for the missile.

Inventors

  • 👤 Arthur J. Dr. Schneider

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 05:30
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41G; F41G7/00; F41G7/20; F41G7/22; F41G7/2246; F41G7/2273; F41G7/2286; G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/02; G01S7/41; G01S7/414

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim 73 words
An improved imaging system comprising: first means for transmitting a plurality of first radar signals at millimeter wave frequencies at an area including an object and background clutter; second means mounted on a missile for receiving reflections of said millimeter wave radar signals from said object and background clutter and generating second signals in response thereto; and third means for processing said second signals and constructing a three dimensional image in response thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 91 words
An improved guidance system for a missile comprising: first means for transmitting a plurality of first radar signals at millimeter wave frequencies at an area including a target and background clutter; second means mounted on a missile for receiving reflections of said millimeter wave radar signals from said target and said background clutter and generating second signals in response thereto; third means for processing said second signals and constructing a three dimensional image in response thereto; and fourth means for generating guidance signals for said missile from said three dimensional image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 16 words
The invention of Claim 2 including antenna means for transmitting said plurality of millimeter wave signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 21 words
The invention of Claim 3 wherein said antenna means includes means for electronically scanning a beam containing said millimeter wave signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 18 words
The invention of Claim 4 further including means for extracting and storing range data from said second signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 18 words
The invention of Claim 5 further including means for extracting and storing amplitude data from said second signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 29 words
The invention of Claim 6 including means for comparing said stored amplitude data to data representing an intensity profile of said area and providing third signals in response thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 26 words
The invention of Claim 7 including means for varying said data representing an intensity profile of as a function of a dive angle of said missile.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 29 words
The invention of Claim 7 including means for comparing said stored range data to data representing an elevation profile of said area and providing fourth signals in response thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 26 words
The invention of Claim 9 including means for varying said data representing an elevation profile of as a function of a dive angle of said missile.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 37 words
The invention of Claim 9 wherein said means for processing said second signals and constructing a three dimensional image in response thereto includes means for processing said third and fourth signals to construct said three dimensional image.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 28 words
The invention of Claim 11 wherein said fourth means includes means for providing position data to said means for extracting and storing range data from said second signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 20 words
The invention of Claim 12 wherein said fourth means includes means for providing scan control commands to said antenna means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 14 words
The invention of Claim 13 wherein said fourth means includes an inertial measurement unit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 80 words
An improved guidance method for a missile including the steps of: transmitting a plurality of first radar signals at millimeter wave frequencies at an area including a target and a background; receiving reflections of said millimeter wave radar signals from said target and background clutter on a missile and generating second signals in response thereto; processing said second signals and constructing a three dimensional image in response thereto; and generating guidance signals for said missile from said three dimensional image.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4665401A Cited
GB2162014A Cited
US5182564A Cited
US4606514A Cited
US4897660A Cited
EP0459886A1 Cited
US5061930A Cited

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