LADAR sensor for landing, docking and approach

US12117527B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Continental Autonomous Mobility US, LLC · US

Inventors

• Patrick Gilliland · Chicago, US
• Robert W. Koseluk · Lompoc, US
• Steve Penniman · Goleta, US
• Brad Short · Goleta, US
• Joseph Spagnolia · Ventura, US
• Roger Stettner · Midland School, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 26, 2020
• Grant date: Oct 15, 2024
• Expiry date: Aug 17, 2043

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S17/89
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A system for landing or docking a mobile platform is enabled by a flash LADAR sensor having an adaptive controller with Automatic Gain Control (AGC). Range gating in the LADAR sensor penetrates through diffuse reflectors. The LADAR sensor adapted for landing/approach comprises a system controller, pulsed laser transmitter, transmit optics, receive optics, a focal plane array of detectors, a readout integrated circuit, camera support electronics and image processor, an image analysis and bias calculation processor, and a detector array bias control circuit. The system is capable of developing a complete 3-D scene from a single point of view.