System and method for obtaining precise missile range information for semiactive missile systems
First Claim
1. A system for determining the distance between a missile and a target comprising:
- first means for generating a periodic signal, said signal frequency modulated at a predetermined rate;
second means for determining a closing rate at which said missile is approaching said target via said periodic signal;
third means for determining a value containing information corresponding to said distance and said closing rate via said periodic signal; and
fourth means for determining said distance from said closing rate and said value.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system (10) for determining the range between a missile (14) and a target (18) adapted for use with a semi-active missile system. The system (10) includes a first circuit (12) for generating a periodic signal (24) that is periodically frequency modulated. A second circuit (16) determines a closing rate at which the missile 14 is approaching the target 18 via the periodic signal 24. A third circuit (16) determines a value containing information corresponding to the range and the closing rate via the periodic signal. A fourth circuit (16) determines the range from the closing rate and the value. In a specific embodiment, the first circuit (12) includes an illumination system (12). The illumination system (12) includes a periodically modulated carrier signal generator (32) that generates the periodic signal (24). The periodically modulated carrier signal generator (32) includes a frequency source, a frequency modulator, and an illumination system computer. The illumination system computer runs software for adjusting the modulation parameters of the frequency modulator. The second, third and fourth circuits (16) are included in a receiver system (16) onboard the missile (14). The receiver system (16) includes a front receiver located near the front of the missile and a rear receiver located near the rear of the missile (14). A receiver system computer runs software that implements the fourth circuit (16). The receiver system (16) includes a local oscillator for providing a reference frequency for the receiver system. The local oscillator derives the reference frequency from the periodic signal provided by the first circuit. In illustrative embodiment, the fourth circuit (16) runs computer software that subtracts the closing rate from the combination of closing rate and range and provides the range in response thereto.
17 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A system for determining the distance between a missile and a target comprising:
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first means for generating a periodic signal, said signal frequency modulated at a predetermined rate;
second means for determining a closing rate at which said missile is approaching said target via said periodic signal;
third means for determining a value containing information corresponding to said distance and said closing rate via said periodic signal; and
fourth means for determining said distance from said closing rate and said value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A system for determining the distance between a missile and a target comprising:
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first means for generating a periodic signal, said periodic signal having a first component of a first constant frequency and a second component of a second varying frequency;
second means for determining a closing rate at which said missile is approaching said target from said first component; and
third means for determining a value containing information corresponding to said distance between said missile and said target and said closing rate via said second component; and
fourth means for determining said distance from said closing rate and said value.
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31. A method for determining the distance between a missile and a target comprising the steps of:
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generating a periodic signal frequency modulated at a predetermined rate;
measuring a closing rate at which said missile is approaching said periodic signal;
determining a value containing information corresponding to said distance between said missile and said target and said closing rate via said periodic signal; and
calculating said distance from said closing rate and said value.
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32. A semi-active missile system capable of accurately determining the distance between a missile and a target comprising:
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an illumination source for outputting a first periodically modulated carrier signal;
a receiver system located on said missile and having a front and rear receiver for receiving a reflected periodically modulated carrier signal, and said first periodically modulated carrier signal, respectively;
a first software routine running on a computer, said first software routine for calculating a missile target closing rate from a non-modulated portion of said first periodically modulated carrier signal, and a non-modulated portion of said reflected periodically modulated carrier signal received by said receiver system;
a second software routine running on said computer, said second software routine for obtaining a value representative of a combination of missile target closing rate and said distance from a modulated portions of said first periodically modulated carrier signal and said reflected periodically modulated carrier signal received by said receiver system;
a third routine running on said computer for extracting said distance from said value using said missile target closing rate;
a missile propulsion system;
a missile steering system;
a guidance processor for controlling said missile propulsion system and said missile steering system to guide said missile, said guidance processor utilizing said distance to optimize missile performance; and
an intercept arm function for using said distance to selectively activate the arming of said missile in response to said distance being within a predetermined distance threshold.
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Specification