GPS Airborne target geolocating method
AssigneeThe Aerospace Corporation
InventorPatrick Lawrence Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A geolocation method is applied for accurate targeting of a target using an airborne beacon as a pseudo star generated by a high altitude vehicle, and using optical sensors by a low altitude vehicle for imaging the beacon and target for generating accurate relative GPS positioning of the target for improved the geolocation of the target preferably for precise delivery of a payload to the target. The method is applicable to military and civilian needs for accurate delivery of a payload to a target, such as for precise delivery of humanitarian aid or weapon munitions.
Claims32
A method for determining a target location of a target, the method comprising the steps of,
- sensor determining a first GPS position of a sensor platform, the first GPS position having GPS positioning errors,
- beacon determining a second GPS position of a beacon platform, the second GPS position having GPS positioning errors, the first and second GPS positions having relative errors less than the GPS positioning errors,
- beacon measuring a beacon offset angle,
- target measuring a target offset angle, and
- computing the target location of the target from the first and second GPS positions and the beacon offset angle and the target offset angle.
A method for delivering a payload to a target location of a target, the method comprising the steps of,
- determining a first GPS position of a sensor platform,
- determining a second GPS position of a beacon platform, the first and second GPS positions having relative errors,
- measuring a beacon offset angle,
- measuring a target offset angle,
- computing the target location of the target from the first and second GPS position and beacon offset angle and target offset angle,
- determining a third GPS position of a maneuvering payload,
- communicating the target location to the maneuvering payload, and
- maneuvering payload toward to the target location for delivering the payload to the target location.
A system for determining a target location of a target, comprising:
- an acquisition airborne vehicle configured to act as a sensor platform;
- and
- a beacon airborne vehicle configured to act as a beacon platform, wherein said beacon airborne vehicle is configured to direct a beacon to said acquisition airborne vehicle that is used in determining an offset angle of a beacon image.
A system for delivering a payload to a target, comprising:
- a beacon airborne vehicle configured to act as a beacon platform;
- an acquisition airborne vehicle acting as a sensor platform comprising a computing device, wherein said beacon airborne vehicle is configured to direct a beacon to said acquisition airborne vehicle that is used in determining an offset angle of a beacon image;
- and
- a maneuvering payload for delivering the payload to the target, wherein the computing device on said acquisition airborne vehicle is configured to relay location information of the target to said maneuvering payload.
A computer system, comprising:
- means for determining a first GPS position of a sensor platform;
- means for determining a second GPS position of a beacon platform;
- means for determining a beacon offset angle;
- means for determining a target offset angle;
- and
- means for determining a target location from at least the first and second GPS positions and the beacon offset angle and the target offset angle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.