Combined laser altimeter and ground velocity measurement apparatus
US7079228B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 15, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jul 18, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 9, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S7/4817
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Combined laser-based apparatus for determining both altitude and ground velocity of an aircraft comprises: a laser source for emitting pulsed laser beams substantially at a predetermined wavelength; a plurality of first optical elements for directing the laser beams from a first optical path to a second optical path which exits the first optical elements; a plurality of second optical elements configured to form a telescope, the second optical path and telescope field of view being fixedly co-aligned; an optical scanner for directing the second optical path and telescope field of view to desired ground positions while maintaining the co-alignment thereof; the telescope for receiving Doppler wavelength shifted reflections of the pulsed laser beams and directing the received ground reflections substantially over a third optical path; an optical filter element for separating the ground reflections of the third optical path into first and second portions that are dependent on the Doppler wavelength shift of the ground reflections; and processing means for determining altitude and ground velocity of the aircraft based on the first and second portions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.