Methods and systems using relative sensing to locate targets
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsSteven H. Thomas, Mahesh K. Jeerage, Conrad Mueller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for determining a position of a target is described that includes establishing a reference target position and a measuring location position and measuring a range to the target, an azimuth angle to the target, and an elevation angle to the target. The reference target position, the measuring location position, the measured range to the target, the azimuth angle to the target, and the elevation angle to the target are utilized to calculate a position of the target.
Claims16
A method for determining a position of a target comprising:
- establishing a reference target position and a measuring location position;
- supplying a magnetic field from a magnet positioned at the measuring location position of a target location system, the strength of the supplied magnetic field being greater than the strength of the earth's magnetic field;
- measuring a range to the target, an angle between the target and the supplied magnetic field, and an elevation angle to the target;
- and
- utilizing the reference target position, the measuring location position, the measured range to the target, the angle between the target and the supplied magnetic field, and the elevation angle to the target to calculate a position of the target.
A target location system comprising:
- at least one source of reference target position information and measuring location position information;
- a rangefinder configured to measure a range to a reference target position and a range to the target;
- a magnetic field source positioned at a measuring location position of said system, wherein the strength of the magnetic field from the magnetic field source is greater than the strength of the earth's magnetic field;
- a sensor configured to utilize said magnetic field source to determine an azimuth angle to the target, based on measurements of angles between the magnetic field source and the reference target and between the magnetic field source and the target;
- an inclinometer to measure elevation angles to a reference target position and the target;
- and
- a processor programmed to determine a position of the target using reference target position information, measuring location position information, the measured ranges, the determined azimuth angle, and the measured elevation angle.
A target location processor programmed to:
- calculate a range to a reference position based on a received reference position and a received measuring location position;
- receive a measured range to the reference position and a measured range to the target position with respect to the measuring location position;
- calculate a bias error using the calculated range to the reference position and the measured range to the reference position;
- offset a received range measurement to a target location according to the bias error;
- receive a measured angle between the reference target and a magnetic field, the magnetic field being supplied by a magnet positioned at a measuring location position of a target location system, the strength of the supplied magnetic field being greater than the strength of the earth's magnetic field;
- and
- receive a measured angle between the target and the supplied magnetic field.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.