Target designation system

• US 4,091,412 A
• Filed: 12/29/1972
• Issued: 05/23/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/1967
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Original Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Inventors: Salonimer, David J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Griffin, Robert L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Coles, Edward L.
• Application Number:
  US05/319,249
• Time in Patent Office: 1,971 Days
• Field of Search: 178/6.8, 346/33, 358/95, 358/113, 358/108, 358/109, 250/199, 250/203, 250/203 CT, 356/5, 244/3.16
• US Class Current: 348/114
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/145 using a target illuminator
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/88 Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/89 for mapping or imaging

Abstract

A system including a pulsed laser for illuminating targets. A detector has shutter synchronized by a radio link from the laser, so that the shutter allows the detector only to be energized when the laser pulses.

Claims

1. A designation system for a target in a cluttered background including a pulse laser;

a pulse laser beam being emitted by said laser;

a Q-spoiler connected to said laser so as to control the frequency of the output of the pulse beams from said laser;

a synchronous transmitter connected to said Q-spoiler so as to transmit an output which is indicative of the frequency of the pulse beams;

said pulse beam periodically illuminating said target;

a remotely located detector;

said detector including a first spectral filtering device which will pass illuminations reflected from the target caused by the laser beam and will stop other reflected illuminations;

an imaging device;

a first lens means passing the reflected laser beam illuminations from said filter to said imaging device;

said imaging device having an electronic shutter means;

a synchronous receiver means being connected to said electronic shutter so as to operate same;

said synchronous receiver means receiving the information transmitted by said transmitter and causing said shutter of said image means to operate in synchronism with the frequency of the pulses of said laser beams;

said synchronous transmitter and said synchronous receiver means having a wireless communication link therebetween said imaging means providing a visible image of the target;

a focusing lens being located between said laser and said target so as to cause discrete illumination of the target;

a telescope device aligned up in the direction of the laser beam and rigidly connected thereto for viewing the area illuminated by said laser and for directing the laser beam to a desired target;

a second imaging means having a second spectral filtering device and focusing means for receiving reflected illuminations from the laser beam; and

first and second mirror means connected between the second imaging means and the telescope means so as to allow viewing of both a telescope view and an imaged view to an observer.