Enhanced precision forward observation system and method
First Claim
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1. A forward observation system for determining the location of a target comprising:
- (a) instrumentation for determining an observer position;
(b) a range finder for determining the distance to the target from the observation position;
(c) instrumentation for determining the attitude of the line of sight vector to the target from the observation position;
(d) a processor for receiving output from said instrumentation for determining an observer position, said range finder, and said instrumentation for determining the attitude of the line of sight vector to the target, said processor comprising means for calculating an estimated target position and determining error range.
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Abstract
An enhanced precision forward observation system and method employs a satellite positioning system receiver, range finder, and a compass/inclinometer. The satellite positioning system receiver is used to calculate an observer'"'"'s position and target position estimation software employs data from multiple measurements for improved target position estimation.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A forward observation system for determining the location of a target comprising:
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(a) instrumentation for determining an observer position; (b) a range finder for determining the distance to the target from the observation position; (c) instrumentation for determining the attitude of the line of sight vector to the target from the observation position; (d) a processor for receiving output from said instrumentation for determining an observer position, said range finder, and said instrumentation for determining the attitude of the line of sight vector to the target, said processor comprising means for calculating an estimated target position and determining error range. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for determining the coordinates of a target position comprising the steps of determining a target position estimate and error range for said target position estimate by making distance and attitude measurements relative to a given observation position having determinable coordinates;
- determining the observation position coordinates of the observation position; and
using said observation position coordinates, said distance and attitude measurements, and a Kalman filter to determine coordinates and error range for said target position estimate.
- determining the observation position coordinates of the observation position; and
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15. A method for determining the coordinates of a target position from one or more observation positions comprising the steps of:
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(a) making distance and attitude measurements of said target position relative to a given observation position having determinable coordinates; (b) determining the observation position coordinates of the observation position; (c) using said observation position coordinates, distance and attitude measurements from step (a), and a Kalman filter to determine coordinates for a first target position estimate and error range for said first target position estimate; (d) determining at least one other target position estimate and error range for said at least one other target position estimate by making distance and attitude measurements relative to at least one observation position having determinable coordinates; (e) determining the observation position coordinates for each step (d) observation position; (f) and using the step (d) observation position coordinates, the corresponding distance and attitude measurements, and a Kalman filter to calculate an enhanced target position estimate and enhanced error estimate using the first target position estimate from step (a) and said at least one other target position estimate from step (d); (g) logging target position information comprising enhanced target position estimate and error distribution calculated in step (f). - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification