Extended range, light weight laser target designator
First Claim
1. Apparatus for extending the range of a multi-pulse target designation system in which an ordinance device is provided with optical tracking apparatus and a guidance system coupled thereto, said tracking apparatus being adapted to detect the presence and position of pulses returned from an illuminated target, comprising:
- means for coherently integrating the pulses detected by said tracking apparatus prior to the utilization of the integrated pulses for the guidance of said ordinance device, and, means for coupling the integrated pulses to said guidance system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Pulse integration is utilized on board an optically guided missile or other ordinance device used as a part of a target designation system for extending the lock-on range of the missile by approximately 18%, when a double pulse laser is utilized to illuminate and designate the target. Pulse integration is accomplished with a recirculating delay unit which superimposes the first pulse on the second pulse, such that while the pulses add coherently, noise does not add in phase. The pulse integration technique therefore enhances the signal-to-noise ratio when the missile is at the outer limits of its operating range. When the missile is sufficiently close to the target, doublet decoding is actuated to offer countermeasure resistance. At this point, pulse integration may proceed in lieu of doublet decoding or may be dispensed with in view of the increased signal-to-noise ratio due to the close range of the missile to the target.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. Apparatus for extending the range of a multi-pulse target designation system in which an ordinance device is provided with optical tracking apparatus and a guidance system coupled thereto, said tracking apparatus being adapted to detect the presence and position of pulses returned from an illuminated target, comprising:
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means for coherently integrating the pulses detected by said tracking apparatus prior to the utilization of the integrated pulses for the guidance of said ordinance device, and, means for coupling the integrated pulses to said guidance system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of extending the range of a multi-pulse target designation system in which an ordinance device is provided with optical tracking apparatus which detects the presence and position of pulses returned from an illuminated target comprising:
coherently integrating the pulses detected by the tracker prior to the utilization of the detected pulses for the guidance of said ordinance device. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A method of extending the range of a multi-pulse target designation system in which an ordinance device is provided with optical tracking apparatus which detects the presence and position of pulses returned from an illuminated target comprising:
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coherently integrating the pulses detected by the tracker when said ordinance device is outside a predetermined adaptive range perimeter centered on said target and, utilizing the integrated pulses in the guidance of said ordinance device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method of extending the range of a multi-pulse target designation system in which an ordinance device is provided with optical tracking apparatus which detects the presence and position of pulses returned from an illuminated target comprising:
coherently integrating the pulses detected by the tracking apparatus when the pulsed radiation at ordinance device is below a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. An extended range target designation system comprising:
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laser target designating means which projects at least two pulses of electromagnetic radiation of known inter-pulse spacing towards a target, and, a guided ordinance device, said device having a guidance system and optical tracking apparatus coupled thereto for detecting the location of pulsed radiation scattered by said target towards said ordinance device, said optical tracking apparatus including means for coherently adding said pulses and for transmitting the resulting signal to said guidance system whereby the operating range of said tracking apparatus is extended. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification