US3799676A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical tracking system
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
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Filing: 1972-05-26
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Granted: 1974-03-26
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Expires: 1992-05-26
Abstract
Abstract An optical tracking apparatus incorporating a radar system to search, acquire and track a co-operating target. A YAG laser illuminator and a tracker which are mounted together at a ground installation cooperate with small retroreflectors mounted on the target to pinpoint its position. The optical signals which are received from the target are processed in optical system detectors. The detectors provide target azimuth and elevation information.
Inventors
- 👤 E Chatterton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:40
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S17/00; G01S17/66; G01S13/00; G01S13/86; G01S13/865
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
An optical tracking system for tracking a cooperating target comprising in combination: a target having a laser beacon and a retroreflector, said laser beacon having a laser output signal, an optical tracking unit in optical alignment with said target, said optical tracking unit comprising a YAG illuminator and an optical tracker, said YAG illuminator having a laser beam output, said laser beam ouTput being transmitted to and reflected by said retroreflector to said optical tracker, said laser output signal from said laser beacon being transmitted to said optical tracker, said optical tracker having an optical unit to split said laser beam into an azimuth signal and an elevation signal, said azimuth signal being applied to an azimuth photo-detector, said elevation signal being applied to an elevation photo-detector, said optical tracker having a reference generator to provide azimuth and elevation reference signals to said azimuth and elevation photo-detectors respectively, said azimuth and elevation photo-detectors providing output data respectively, said optical tracker providing elevation and azimuth data, and, means for optically aligning said optical tracking unit with said target, said optical aligning means being responsive to said elevation and azimuth data signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
An optical tracking system for tracking a cooperating target comprising in combination: a target having a laser beacon and a retroreflector, said laser beacon having a laser output signal, an optical tracking unit in optical alignment with said target, said optical tracking unit comprising a YAG illuminator and an optical tracker, said YAG illuminator having a laser beam output, said laser beam ouTput being transmitted to and reflected by said retroreflector to said optical tracker, said laser output signal from said laser beacon being transmitted to said optical tracker, said optical tracker having an optical unit to split said laser beam into an azimuth signal and an elevation signal, said azimuth signal being applied to an azimuth photo-detector, said elevation signal being applied to an elevation photo-detector, said optical tracker having a reference generator to provide azimuth and elevation reference signals to said azimuth and elevation photo-detectors respectively, said azimuth and elevation photo-detectors providing output data respectively, said optical tracker providing elevation and azimuth data, and, means for optically aligning said optical tracking unit with said target, said optical aligning means being responsive to said elevation and azimuth data signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
93 words
An optical tracking system as described in claim 1 wherein said means for optically aligning said optical tracking unit comprises: a turret rotatably mounted on a ground pad, said turret being rotated by an azimuth pointing unit, said azimuth pointing unit being responsive to said azimuth control signal from said computer, said turret supporting an elevation pointing unit, said elevation pointing unit being rotatably mounted in elevation on said turret, said elevation pointing unit receiving said elevation control signal from said computer, said optical tracking unit being mounted on said elevation pointing unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
84 words
An optical tracking system as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for optical aligning said optical tracking unit comprises: a turret having a mirror mounted thereon, said turret being rotatably mounted upon a coarse pointing unit and a fine pointing unit, said coarse and fine pointing units respectively receiving said elevation and azimuth control signals from said computer, said mirror providing the optical alignment between said optical tracking unit and said target, said optical tracking unit being mounted to a stationary ground pad.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
137 words
An optical tracking system as described in claim 1 wherein said optical tracking unit includes a correlation-discriminator to process said azimuth and elevation signals to provide position data, said correlation-discriminator comprises a matched-filter gate to receive said azimuth and elevation signals, said matched-filter gate receives a reference gate signal derived from said azimuth and elevation photo-detector output data, said reference gate signal gating said matched filter gate to provide a correlation signal, said correlation signal being applied to a pulse counter, said pulse counter counting the pulses in said correlation signal and providing a count output signal in response thereto, a decision logic unit receiving said reference gate signal and count output signal to determine a target match, said decision logic unit providing a target correlation signal when said reference gate signal and count output signal coincide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
134 words
An optical tracking system as described in claim 4 wherein said correlation-discriminator further includes a step-variable delay unit to receive said reference gate signal, said step-variable delay unit sequentially stepping said reference gate signal through a predetermined range of delays, a delay lock gate receiving a step-delay trigger, said delay lock gate providing an output signal in response to said step-delay trigger, a step generator receiving said delay lock gate output signal and providing a step output signal, said step output signal being applied to said step-variable delay unit, said step-variable delay unit providing an incremental step-delay output, said step-delay output being applied to both said matched-filter gate and said decision logic unit, said delay lock gate receiving said target correlation signal, said delay lock gate being inhibited when said target correlation signal occurs.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-25 | 1977-09-24 | 1978-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-25 | 1981-09-24 | 1982-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-25 | 1985-09-24 | 1986-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |