US 2004/0061641 A1 · METHOD OF TRACKING A TARGET AND TARGET TRACKING SYSTEM

Abstract

A method of tracking a target (2) moving in an airspace and a target tracking system (10) for performing the method are described. A search sensor (12) searches a search space at a first clock rate (2π/ΔT1) and establishes target information in regard to a track (4) flown through by the target (2). Calculation means (16) extrapolate an expected flight path (6) from the target information established and provide flight path data, which describes the expected flight path (8), to a tracking sensor (14), which covers a tracking space (15), and provides this data at a second clock rate (2α/ΔT2), which is higher than the first clock rate (2π/ΔT1). When the target (2) reaches the tracking space (15), the tracking sensor (14) is aimed at the expected flight path (6) on the basis of the flight path data provided, the target (2) is detected as soon as it is detectable by the tracking sensor (14), and the tracking sensor (14) is tracked on the target autonomously.

Claims30

Dependent claims

A method of tracking a target moving in an airspace,

wherein
a search space is searched with the aid of a search sensor in multiple passes in a first clock rate (2π/ΔT1) and target information being established in this way which describes a track flown through by the target,
an expected flight path is extrapolated with the aid of calculation means from the target information established from at least two passes, and flight path data, which describes the expected flight path, is provided for a tracking sensor, which covers a tracking space,
the flight path data, which describes the extrapolated expected flight path, is transmitted to the tracking sensor with the aid of transmission means at a second clock rate (2π/ΔT2), which is higher than the first clock rate (2π/ΔT1), and
when the target reaches the tracking space,
the tracking sensor is aimed at the expected flight path with the aid of aiming means on the basis of the transmitted flight path data, independently of the detectability of the target,
the target is detected with the aid of detection means as soon as it is detectable by the tracking sensor, and
the tracking sensor is tracked on the target autonomously with the aid of tracking means.

5 more elements

A target tracking system for tracking a target moving in an airspace,

having a search sensor, which is designed for the purpose of searching a search space in multiple passes using a first clock rate (2π/ΔT1), and
having a tracking sensor, which is designed for the purpose of tracking the target in a tracking space,
wherein the search sensor has:
first detection means, which are implemented for the purpose of detecting target information, which describes a track flown through by the target, during at least some of the passes;
the target tracking system has:
calculation means, which are implemented for the purpose of extrapolating an expected flight path of the target and calculating flight path data which describes the expected flight path from the target information and
transmission means, which are implemented for the purpose of transmitting at least the data containing the target information to the calculation means and at least the flight path data which describes the extrapolated flight path to the tracking sensor, in order to provide the flight path data for the tracking sensor at a second clock rate (2π/ΔT1), which is higher than the first clock rate (2π/ΔT1);
and
the tracking sensor has:
aiming means, which are implemented for the purpose of aiming the tracking sensor at the expected flight path (6) on the basis of the flight path data provided and independently of the detectability of the target,
second detection means, which are implemented for the purpose of detecting the target as soon as it has reach the tracking space and is detectable, and
tracking means, which are implemented for the purpose of tracking the tracking sensor on the detected target autonomously as soon as it is detected by the detection means.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method of tracking a target and target tracking system

Life of this patent

Method of tracking a target and target tracking system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims30