Systems and methods for illumination and observation
US9871979B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 25, 2013 |
| Grant date | Jan 16, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 7, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64U2101/30
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An aerial surveillance and reconnaissance system includes a gimbal-stabilized ISR imaging sensor with 0.8-1.2 microradian optical resolution, using pulsed ultraviolet laser (0.330-0.380 micrometer wavelength) radiation to illuminate the observed target, and a narrow-band-pass filter at the focal plane detector to remove light at frequencies other than the illuminating frequency. Preferred sensors can be operated in a snapshot mode using intermittent illuminating pulses, with timing of the pulses selected for minimum detectability based on observations made with a lower-resolution sensor, or in a video-mode with illuminating pulses selected to generate full-motion video at operator-selectable frame rates. Some sensor embodiments may further combine the UV system described above with conventional daylight optical and sensor systems, though alternative arrangements could also include an IR sensor as well (either using a common aperture with the UV system or with a separate set of light-gathering optics).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.