Testing system for measuring and optimising target tracking systems

• US 6,201,231 B1
• Filed: 10/01/1998
• Issued: 03/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Diehl Stiftung & Company KG (Diehl VA Systeme Stiftung & Company KG)
• Original Assignee: Diehl Stiftung & Company KG (Diehl VA Systeme Stiftung & Company KG)
• Inventors: Kassens, Peter, Regensburger, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, QUE TAN
• Application Number:
  US09/165,332
• Time in Patent Office: 894 Days
• Field of Search: 250/203.6, 250/203.2, 250/203.1, 356/139.08, 356/139.01, 244/3.14, 244/3.15, 244/3.16
• US Class Current: 250/203.6
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/66 Tracking systems using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves

Abstract

Described is a testing system which has a target point light source (12), a tracking light source (18) and therebetween a projection wall (24). Associated with the target point light source (12) is a two-axis deflection device (28) which is connected together with a target point computer (14). Associated with the tracking light source (18) is a two-axis scanner device (30) which is connected together with a tracking computer (20). Provided between the tracking light source (18) and the two-axis scanner device (30) is a beam splitter (32) with which a sensor device (42) is associated.

Claims

1. A test installation (10) for a target tracking system (20, 30) having a scanner device (30);

a selectively light-transmissive or reflective projection wall (24) arranged in spaced relationship from said target tracking system (20, 30);

a first wandering light point being projected onto said projection well (24) by a target point light source (12) so as to represent a simulated target, said scanner device (30) including a second light source (18) projecting a second light point onto said projection wall (24) for following of sad first wandering light point to provide a control over the scanner device (30) actually detecting the wandering target simulating light point, and means (20,14) for computing the alignment of said first and second light points on said projection wall, whereby said second light point being located more closely to the target-simulating light point is indicative of said scanner device (30) being more precise in tracking the movement of said wandering target-simulating light point.

2. A test installation according to claim 1, wherein said target point light source (12) has a two-axis deflection device (28) operatively associated therewith for projecting said target-simulating wandering light point onto said projection wall (24);

and a target point computer (14) being connected to said two-axis deflection device (28).

3. A test installation according to claim 1, wherein said second light source (18) comprises a tracking light source arranged on an optical axis of the tracking system, said scanner device comprising a two-axis scanner device;

a beam splitter (32) being arranged between said tracking light source (18) and said two-axis scanner device (30); and

a sensor (42) being operatively associated with said beam splitter (32).

4. A test installation according to claim 1, wherein said target point light source (12) comprises a target point laser.

5. A test installation according to claim 1, wherein said second light source (18) comprises a tracking laser.

6. A test installation according to claim 3, wherein a color filter (44) is arranged between said sensor (42) and said beam splitter (32).

7. A test installation according to claim 1, wherein said projection wall (24) comprises a light-transmissive ground glass screen (26).

8. A test installation according to claim 1, wherein said projection wall (24) comprises a diffusely light-reflecting material.