Target tracking system and method with jitter reduction suitable for directed energy systems
First Claim
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1. A target tracking system configured for use in a directed energy system, the target tracking system comprising:
- a target identifier to receive video signals and to separate a target from a background;
a target tracker to track one or more track points on the target based on outputs of the target identifier; and
a tracking controller to generate tracking control signals based on outputs of the target tracker to control a beam transmission unit for placement of a directed energy beam on a selected one of the track points,wherein the one or more track points are configured to be smaller than a spot size of the directed energy beam to allow the directed energy beam to cover the selected track point to compensate for target jitter and cause a desired effect within the selected track point.
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Abstract
Embodiments of a target tracking system and method with jitter reduction suitable for directed energy systems are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the directed energy system includes a target tracking system to track one or more track points on a moving target, and a beam transmission unit to maintain a directed energy beam on a selected one of the track points in response to tracking control signals provided by the target tracking system. The track points may be smaller than a spot size of the directed energy beam maintained on the target.
13 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A target tracking system configured for use in a directed energy system, the target tracking system comprising:
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a target identifier to receive video signals and to separate a target from a background; a target tracker to track one or more track points on the target based on outputs of the target identifier; and a tracking controller to generate tracking control signals based on outputs of the target tracker to control a beam transmission unit for placement of a directed energy beam on a selected one of the track points, wherein the one or more track points are configured to be smaller than a spot size of the directed energy beam to allow the directed energy beam to cover the selected track point to compensate for target jitter and cause a desired effect within the selected track point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A directed energy system comprising:
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a target tracking system to track one or more track points on a target as the target moves; and a beam transmission unit to maintain a directed energy beam on a selected one of the track points in response to tracking control signals provided by the target tracking system, wherein the track points are smaller than a spot size of the directed energy beam maintained on the target to allow the directed energy beam to cover the selected track point to compensate for target jitter and cause a desired effect within the selected track point. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for deterring a target comprising:
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optically tracking one or more track points on the target as the target moves; using a rate-of-motion of a beam transmission unit to maintain a directed energy beam on a selected one of the track points with a tracking control loop; and maintaining the directed energy beam on the selected track points for a period of time to cause a deterring effect by raising surface temperature within the selected track point, wherein the one or more track points are configured to be smaller than a spot size of the directed energy beam to allow the directed energy beam to cover the selected track point to compensate for target jitter and cause the deterring effect within the selected track point. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A method for operating a directed energy system comprising:
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enabling operation of the directed energy system when a calibration and a location are verified; and disabling operation of the directed energy system when the calibration or the location is not verified, and wherein the directed energy system is configured to maintain a directed energy beam on a selected track point for a period of time to cause a deterring effect by raising surface temperature within the selected track point, wherein the selected track point is smaller than a spot size of the directed energy beam to allow the directed energy beam to cover the selected track point to compensate for target jitter and cause the deterring effect within the selected track point. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification