US4129780A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Active imaging system using time programmed dwell
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
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Filing: 1977-06-21
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Granted: 1978-12-12
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Expires: 1997-06-21
Abstract
Abstract An imaging system for detection of a target is provided which compensates for range dependency of a reflected interrogating signal. The imaging system includes an electromagnetic radiation source for generating a series of interrogating pulse signals directed towards the target. A receiver is provided and operable to be triggered for receiving during preselected time intervals the reflected interrogating pulse signals from the target and for generating a resultant output signal. The system further includes circuitry connected for triggering the receiver to receive reflected interrogating pulse signals according to a predetermined time function. The number of reflected interrogating pulse signals thus received by the receiver is dependent on the distance between the receiver and the target. The receiver thus generates a resultant output signal to provide a signal of constant amplitude independent of the distance between the receiver and target.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard H. Laughlin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:33
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S17/00; G01S17/02; G01S17/06; G01S17/08; G01S17/10; G01S17/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
An imaging system for detection of a target comprising: an electromagnetic radiation source for generating a series of interrogating pulse signals directed towards the target; receiver means operable to be triggered for receiving during preselected time intervals reflected interrogating pulse signals from the target and for generating a resultant output signal; and circuit means connected for triggering said receiver means to receive reflected interrogating pulse signals according to a predetermined time function such that the number of reflected interrogating pulse signals received by said receiver means is dependent on the distance between said receiver means and the target, said receiver means thus generating a resultant output signal to provide a signal of constant amplitude independent of the distance between said receiver means and the target.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
An imaging system for detection of a target comprising: an electromagnetic radiation source for generating a series of interrogating pulse signals directed towards the target; receiver means operable to be triggered for receiving during preselected time intervals reflected interrogating pulse signals from the target and for generating a resultant output signal; and circuit means connected for triggering said receiver means to receive reflected interrogating pulse signals according to a predetermined time function such that the number of reflected interrogating pulse signals received by said receiver means is dependent on the distance between said receiver means and the target, said receiver means thus generating a resultant output signal to provide a signal of constant amplitude independent of the distance between said receiver means and the target.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The imaging system of claim 1 wherein said receiver means is operable to be triggered for receiving during preselected fixed time intervals reflected interrogating pulse signals from the target and for generating a resultant output signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The imaging system of claim 1 wherein the number of reflected interrogating pulse signals received by said receiver means increases as the distance between said receiver means and the target increases.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The imaging system of claim 1 wherein said interrogating pulse signals have a fixed gate width.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The imaging system of claim 1 wherein said receiver means receives reflected interrogating signals during fixed time intervals controlled by said circuit means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The imaging system of claim 5 wherein said receiver receives reflected interrogating pulse signals during a plurality of said fixed time intervals, such that said fixed time intervals are delayed with respect to one another by said circuit means as the distance between said receiver means and the target increases.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The imaging system of claim 6 wherein said circuit means controls the time duration between successive triggerings of said receiver means such that the time duration between adjacent ones of said fixed time intervals in which said receiver receives reflected interrogating pulse signals decreases as the distance between said receiver and the target increases.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The imaging system of claim 7 wherein said receiver means integrates said received reflected interrogating pulse signals to form an optical image of the target.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The imaging system of claim 8 wherein the number of reflected interrogating pulse signals received and integrated by said receiver means increases as the distance between said receiver and the target increases.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The imaging system of claim 9 wherein the number of received reflected interrogating pulse signals received and integrated by said receiver means increases at a rate proportional to four times the distance between said receiver and the target.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The imaging system of claim 8 wherein the time duration between successive ones of said fixed time intervals in which said receiver means receives reflected interrogating pulse signals decreases at a rate proportional to the inverse of four times the distance between said receiver and the target.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The imaging system of claim 1 wherein said receiver comprises a gated image intensifier.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The imaging system of claim 1 wherein said receiver comprises a gated detector.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The imaging system of claim 1 wherein said receiver comprises a gated detector array.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The imaging system of claim 1 wherein said source comprises a laser.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The imaging system of claim 1 wherein said source comprises a broad band optical source.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
122 words
An active imaging system for detecting a target comprising: an electromagnetic radiation source for generating gated interrogating pulse signals having a fixed gate width and directed towards the target; receiver means for being triggered to receive reflected interrogating pulse signals from the target during preselected fixed window intervals; means for synchronizing the operation of said source and said receiver means; circuit means for triggering said receiver means to receive reflected interrogating pulse signals during said preselected fixed window intervals at a rate dependent upon the distance between the target and said receiver means; and means for integrating said received reflected interrogating pulse signals to generate a resultant signal of constant amplitude independent of the distance between said receiver means and the target.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
122 words
An active imaging system for detecting a target comprising: an electromagnetic radiation source for generating gated interrogating pulse signals having a fixed gate width and directed towards the target; receiver means for being triggered to receive reflected interrogating pulse signals from the target during preselected fixed window intervals; means for synchronizing the operation of said source and said receiver means; circuit means for triggering said receiver means to receive reflected interrogating pulse signals during said preselected fixed window intervals at a rate dependent upon the distance between the target and said receiver means; and means for integrating said received reflected interrogating pulse signals to generate a resultant signal of constant amplitude independent of the distance between said receiver means and the target.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The imaging system of claim 17 wherein said circuit means triggers said receiver means such that the trigger rate increases as the distance between said receiver means and the target increases.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The imaging system of claim 17 wherein said circuit means triggers said receiver means such that the time duration between successive window intervals decreases as the distance between said receiver means and the target increases.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The imaging system of claim 17 wherein said radiation source comprises a laser.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The imaging system of claim 17 wherein said receiver means comprises a gated image intensifier.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
The imaging system of claim 17 wherein the number of reflected interrogating pulse signals received and integrated by said receiver means increases at a rate proportional to four times the distance between said receiver and the target.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
48 words
The imaging system of claim 17 wherein the time duration between successive ones of said preselected fixed time intervals in which said receiver means receives reflected interrogating pulse signals decreases at a rate proportional to the inverse of four times the distance between said receiver and the target.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
131 words
An active imaging system for detection of a target comprising: laser means for generating gated interrogating pulse signals having a fixed gate width and directed towards the target; a gated image intensifier for being triggered to receive reflected interrogating pulse signals from the target during preselected fixed window intervals; means for synchronizing the operation of said laser means and said image intensifier; circuit means interconnected between said means for synchronizing and said gated image intensifier for triggering said image intensifier to receive reflected interrogating signals during said preselected fixed window intervals at a rate dependent upon the distance between the target and said image intensifier; and means for integrating said received reflected interrogating pulse signals to generate a resultant signal independent of the distance between said image intensifier and the target.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
131 words
An active imaging system for detection of a target comprising: laser means for generating gated interrogating pulse signals having a fixed gate width and directed towards the target; a gated image intensifier for being triggered to receive reflected interrogating pulse signals from the target during preselected fixed window intervals; means for synchronizing the operation of said laser means and said image intensifier; circuit means interconnected between said means for synchronizing and said gated image intensifier for triggering said image intensifier to receive reflected interrogating signals during said preselected fixed window intervals at a rate dependent upon the distance between the target and said image intensifier; and means for integrating said received reflected interrogating pulse signals to generate a resultant signal independent of the distance between said image intensifier and the target.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
33 words
The imaging system of claim 24 wherein the number of reflected interrogating pulse signals received and integrated by said image intensifier increases as the distance between said image intensifier and the target increases.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
40 words
The imaging system of claim 24 wherein the time duration between successive ones of said fixed window intervals in which said image intensifier receives reflected interrogating pulse signals decreases as the distance between said image intensifier and the target increases.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
30 words
The imaging system of claim 24 wherein adjacent ones of said fixed window intervals overlap as the distance between said image intensifier and the target increases above a predetermined range.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
79 words
A method employing an active imaging system for detection of a target comprising: generating a series of interrogating pulse signals having a fixed gate width directed towards the target; receiving at a receiver reflected interrogating pulse signals from the target during preselected fixed window intervals; triggering said receiver to receive said reflected interrogating pulse signals during said preselected fixed window intervals; and varying the triggering of said receiver in dependence upon the distance between the target and said receiver.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
79 words
A method employing an active imaging system for detection of a target comprising: generating a series of interrogating pulse signals having a fixed gate width directed towards the target; receiving at a receiver reflected interrogating pulse signals from the target during preselected fixed window intervals; triggering said receiver to receive said reflected interrogating pulse signals during said preselected fixed window intervals; and varying the triggering of said receiver in dependence upon the distance between the target and said receiver.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 28 and further including the step of: integrating at said receiver said received reflected interrogating pulse signals to generate a resultant signal of constant amplitude independent of the distance between said receiver and the target.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the duration between successive ones of said fixed time intervals decreases at a rate proportional to the inverse of four times the distance between the target and said receiver.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 28 and further including the step of: integrating said received reflected interrogating pulse signals such that the number of interrogating pulse signals integrated by said receiver increases at a rate proportional to four times the distance between said receiver and the target.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3774043A
Cited
US4063093A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-12-11 | 1982-06-12 | 1982-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-12-11 | 1986-06-12 | 1986-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-12-11 | 1990-06-12 | 1990-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |