Solid state modulated beacon tracking system
AssigneeRaytheon Company
InventorsMichael L. Wells, John A. Tyson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system (16) for tracking a missile (22) in flight, the missile (22) having an optical beacon generator (32) that outputs a modulated signal (26) having a predetermined frequency, including an optical system (50, 52, 54) for transmitting image data along an optical path (68) onto an array of detectors (55), such that each detector in the array (55) receives substantially simultaneously the image data from the optical system (50, 52, 54). The system (16) further includes means for processing (46) the image data transmitted onto the array of detectors (55) in order to locate the optical beacon (32).
Claims23
A system for tracking a missile in flight, the missile having an optical beacon generator that outputs a modulated signal having a predetermined frequency, comprising:
- (a) an optical system for transmitting image data along an optical path onto an array of detectors;
- and
- (b) means for processing the image data transmitted onto the array of detectors in order to locate the optical beacon, wherein each detector in the array receives substantially simultaneously the image data from the optical system.
A system for tracking a missile in flight, the missile having an optical beacon generator that outputs a modulated signal having a predetermined frequency, comprising:
- (a) an optical system for transmitting image data along an optical path onto an array of detectors;
- and
- (b) means for processing the image data transmitted onto the array of detectors in order to locate the optical beacon;
- wherein the optical path remains fixed between the optical system and the array.
A system for guiding and tracking a missile in flight, the missile having an optical beacon generator that outputs a modulated signal having a predetermined frequency, comprising:
- (a) means for establishing an aimpoint for the missile;
- (b) means for transmitting image data along an optical path onto an array of detectors such that each detector receives the image data substantially simultaneously;
- (c) means for processing the image data transmitted onto the array of detectors in order to establish a position of the optical beacon relative to the aimpoint;
- (d) means for guiding the missile to the aimpoint in response to the position of the optical beacon relative to the aimpoint.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.