LADAR augmented infra-red (LAIR) sensor
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsMark Lo, Joel E. Anspach, Michael C. Cates
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Abstract
A system, method, and apparatus for detecting and tracking a target are disclosed. The disclosed method involves receiving, with an infra-red (IR) fine track sensor, a IR signal from the target. The method further involves determining, with at least one processor, an estimate of a direction of the target using the IR signal. Also, the method involves transmitting, with a Laser transmitter, a Laser beam towards the direction of the target. Further, the method involves receiving, with a Laser receiver, the Laser signal after it reflects off the target. In one or more embodiments, the Laser receiver is a photon receiver (e.g., a geiger-mode avalanche photo-diode (Gm-APD) receiver).
Claims20
A method for detecting and tracking a target, the method comprising:
- positioning, with a two-dimensional (2D) gimbal, a 2D infra-red (IR) fine track sensor until it receives an IR signal from the target,
- wherein the IR fine track sensor, a Laser transmitter, and a Laser receiver are mounted together on the gimbal;
- receiving, with the infra-red (IR) IR fine track sensor, the IR signal from the target;
- determining, with at least one processor, an estimate of a direction of the target using the IR signal;
- transmitting, with the Laser transmitter, a Laser signal towards the direction of the target;
- and
- receiving, with the Laser receiver, the Laser signal after it reflects off of the target.
A system for detecting and tracking a target, the system comprising:
- a two-dimensional (2D) gimbal to position a 2D infra-red (IR) fine track sensor until it receives an IR signal from the target,
- wherein the IR fine track sensor, a Laser transmitter, and a Laser receiver are mounted together on the gimbal;
- the infra-red (IR) IR fine track sensor to receive the IR signal from the target;
- at least one processor to determine an estimate of a direction of the target using the IR signal;
- the Laser transmitter to transmit a Laser signal towards the direction of the target;
- and
- the Laser receiver to receive the Laser signal after it reflects off of the target.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.