Directed navigation of rounds
AssigneeBAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
InventorsMichael J. CHOINIERE, Matthew F. CHROBAK
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The system and method of directed navigation using an augmented semi-active laser seeker to provide initial altitude measurement and command denotation information for rounds. Using on-board sensors and communications links between members of a swarm, numerous targets can be engaged more quickly and precisely. The LCSAL can act as 3D LIDAR where the LCSAL's spatial resolution and the associated image from the imager can be correlated to the LCSAL pixel by pixel as time of arrival. The rounds trajectory can be refined due to coupling with accurate Target ID to provide optimum command detonation for specific target types.
Claims20
A round, comprising:
- a forward facing diode configured to generate pulsed energy to illuminate a target area comprising one or more targets;
- provide a laser range finder altimeter function;
- provide a proximity sensor for determining range to the target area;
- and
- provide for 3D LIDAR processing for target aim refinement by combing data from a SAL seeker;
- the SAL seeker configured to receive the pulsed energy reflected from the target area;
- an imager having a field of view (FOV), the imager being configured to collect images of the target area;
- a processor configured to correlate data of the received pulsed energy reflected from the target area via the SAL seeker with the images of the scene captured by the imager and generate a target data set;
- and
- a rearward facing optical transmitter for sending the target data set to one or more follower rounds.
A method for swarm navigation, comprising:
- providing a plurality of rounds, wherein the plurality of rounds comprises a leader round and one or more follower rounds, the rounds comprising:
- generating pulsed energy, via a diode, to illuminate a target area comprising one or more targets;
- receiving pulsed energy reflected from the target area, via the SAL seeker;
- determining angular bearing information, via the SAL seeker, of a leader round;
- using a horizon to determine an up and down reference via an imager having a FOV;
- capturing images of the target area, via an imager;
- correlating data of the received pulsed energy reflected from the target area via the SAL seeker with images of the scene captured by the imager to determine a target data set, via a processor;
- providing an optical communications link for messages from a leader round to one or more follower rounds;
- transmitting the data set to the one or more follower rounds via a communication link.
A method for swarm navigation, comprising:
- providing a plurality of rounds, wherein the plurality of rounds comprises a leader round and one or more follower rounds, each round comprising:
- generating pulsed energy, via a diode, to illuminate a target area comprising multiple targets;
- providing a transmitter portion of a laser range finder altimeter function, via the diode;
- providing a transmitter portion of a proximity sensor, via the diode, for determining range to the target area comprising multiple targets;
- providing a transmitter portion for a 3D LIDAR function, via the diode, for target aim refinement by combing data from a SAL seeker imager;
- receiving pulsed energy reflected from the target area, via the SAL seeker;
- determining angular bearing information, via the SAL seeker, if a follower round of any rounds in front of it;
- providing a receiver function via an optical communications link for messages from the plurality of rounds;
- using a horizon to determine an up and down reference via an imager having a FOV;
- collecting images of the target area, via the imager;
- capturing images of multiple targets within the target area, via the imager;
- correlating received pulsed energy reflected from the target area via the SAL seeker with images of the scene captured by the imager to form 3D images of multiple targets within the target area, via a processor;
- determining, via the processor, a data set;
- and
- transmitting the data set to remaining rounds in the plurality of rounds via a communication link.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.