Radiant energy – Photocells; circuits and apparatus – Photocell controls its own optical systems
Patent
1997-12-11
1999-08-10
Westin, Edward P.
Radiant energy
Photocells; circuits and apparatus
Photocell controls its own optical systems
2502036, 356 401, 89 4106, G01S 1766
Patent
active
059362294
ABSTRACT:
A laser tracking system steers a beam of laser energy which is dithered in two directions to scan the surface of a moving object. A laser energy detector detects laser energy reflected from the target. Reflected energy is filtered to distinguish dither frequencies for signals in both directions, which signals are independently analyzed to determine the location of the target in relation to the laser beam. A bias signal is generated which causes the beam of laser energy to be steered toward a surface radius to be steered toward a surface with the sharpest radius of curvature within the trackers' field-of-regard, to the target, to the tracked location on-target, or modified signals steer a portion of the beam to an optimum track location on target while offsetting most of the beam's energy to a second engagement location on target. Also, a track testing system is capable of monitoring a laser beam focused on a missile and determining the effective laser engagement on a spinning target.
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Lee John R.
TRW Inc.
Westin Edward P.
Yatsko Michael S.
LandOfFree
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