GPS airborne target geolocating method
AssigneeThe Aerospace Corporation
InventorPatrick Lawrence Smith
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims17
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 method for providing a navigational beacon to a sensor platform, comprising:
- outputting a beacon from a moving beacon platform at a first GPS position;
- receiving the beacon from the moving beacon platform at the sensor platform, wherein the sensor platform is at a second GPS position at a lower altitude with respect to the moving beacon platform;
- imaging the beacon;
- and
- storing the location of the beacon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.