Ladar sensor for landing, docking and approach
US8976340B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 16, 2012 |
| Grant date | Mar 10, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 20, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S17/89
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.