Passive target data acquisition method and system
First Claim
1. A method using a passive target data acquisition system (PTAS) operative from an observation point for passively sighting a target, the PTAS having:
- passive sighting means coupled to a navigation device and to azimuth and elevation angle measuring devices, a computer module operatively coupled to a DTM database, to the sighting means, and to a display, the method comprising the steps of;
measuring location data of the observation point, and azimuth and elevation angle data to the target, and feeding measured data to the computer module and presenting on the display both the observation point and the target on a corresponding DTM surface derived from the DTM database, the method comprising the steps of;
directing a vector toward the target and defining an envelope surrounding the vector originating at the observation point, and an envelope mantle distanced away from the vector proportionally to errors of measurement, running a PTAS computer program on the computer module for calculating intersection points of the vector and of the envelope with the DTM surface, and presenting the intersection points and associated information on the display, whereby target data is acquired passively to avoid emission of radiations.
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Abstract
Method and passive target data acquisition system operable continuously from an observation point for passively sighting a target and acquiring the target on a DTM for passively deriving target data and associated information without emitting radiations prone to detection. The location of the target is shown on a display, and so is an error-area due to measurement inaccuracies. When terrain topography causes the system to indicate more than one error-area, the target and the accompanying error-areas are displayed. The distance between error-areas indicates dead terrain zones. A north finding procedure provides accurate north direction correction to rough north readings taken with a coarse north-indicating device. The system is small enough for integration with handheld personal binoculars, and is operable from static and mobile observation points, possibly on a stabilized platform, on land, at sea, in the air, and in space.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method using a passive target data acquisition system (PTAS) operative from an observation point for passively sighting a target, the PTAS having:
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passive sighting means coupled to a navigation device and to azimuth and elevation angle measuring devices, a computer module operatively coupled to a DTM database, to the sighting means, and to a display, the method comprising the steps of;
measuring location data of the observation point, and azimuth and elevation angle data to the target, and feeding measured data to the computer module and presenting on the display both the observation point and the target on a corresponding DTM surface derived from the DTM database, the method comprising the steps of;
directing a vector toward the target and defining an envelope surrounding the vector originating at the observation point, and an envelope mantle distanced away from the vector proportionally to errors of measurement, running a PTAS computer program on the computer module for calculating intersection points of the vector and of the envelope with the DTM surface, and presenting the intersection points and associated information on the display, whereby target data is acquired passively to avoid emission of radiations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A passive target data acquisition system (PTAS) positioned and operative at an observation point for passively sighting a target along a LOS vector, including:
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passive sighting means comprising a navigation device for measuring location data of the observation point, and azimuth and elevation angle measuring devices for measuring azimuth and elevation angle data to the target, a computer module operatively coupled to a DTM module, to the sighting means, and to a display, the computer module receiving measured location of the observation point and angular data of the target for presentation on display of a corresponding DTM surface derived from the DTM module, the PTAS comprising;
an envelope radially surrounding the LOS vector length which originates at the observation point, and an envelope mantle distanced away from the LOS vector proportionally to errors of measurement, a PTAS computer program running on the computer module for calculating intersection points of the vector and of the envelope with the DTM surface, and presenting the intersection points with associated information on the display, whereby target data is acquired passively to avoid emission of radiations. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification