System and method for intercepting an exo-atmospheric target using passive ranging estimation
US11061107B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 5, 2018 |
| Grant date | Jul 13, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 29, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF41G7/2293
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A target intercept system for guiding an interceptor to a target using passive ranging includes an EO/IR sensor that provides target azimuth and elevation angles, target irradiance, target area and target length. A dual Kalman Filter architecture is implemented where, prior to a target image becoming resolved, i.e., prior to endgame, a first Kalman Filter provides guidance as a function of target azimuth and elevation angles and target irradiance measurements. After the target image becomes resolved, i.e., at endgame, a second Kalman Filter provides guidance as a function of target azimuth and elevation angles, target area and, optionally, target length, instead. The dual Kalman Filter approach improves the estimates of time-to-go by optimizing the on-board EO/IR sensor measurements at the optimal times.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.