Abstract: A device attachable to an aerial vehicle that incorporates electronics to control sensor position data and verify safety of aerial vehicle landing area. The device may be easily attached to an existing aerial vehicle. The device monitors sensor data from one or more distance measuring sensors and pressure sensors to set an angle of incidence for the distance measuring sensors. This pressure sensor derived angle setting allows for a continual data mapping of the aerial vehicles landing area to enhance and improve the landing zone.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which may be selectively used in a variety of different ways. In one example the apparatus may be attached to one or more preexisting optical accessories to allow a user to view external environmental information concurrently when looking through the ocular lens of an optical device. Advantageously, such an implementation may permit a user to effectively obtain environmental data without moving away from an optical device. In another example, an optical system may be used to selectively attach an external device to an optical device to transmit environmental data recorded by the external device in order to superimpose an image through an ocular lens to be displayed concurrently with a target scene.

Abstract: A time-of-flight laser distance device includes a laser transmitter, a laser pulse return detector to receive reflected laser pulses, and comparators with respective first and second trip levels. A preliminary distance to a target is based on a linear ramp as a function of lapsed time from laser pulse generation through an effective time period wherein an associated return pulse is detected. Time-of-flight values associated with a leading edge of the return pulse are obtained at each of the first and second trip levels. A time difference is determined between the obtained values, and a correction factor is applied with respect to the preliminary measured distance based on the determined time difference. A dual ADC may be used wherein the leading edge of the return pulse is calculated by measuring a slope associated with the time-of-flight values and extrapolating a slope origin to a zero crossing point.

Abstract: The present invention is a laser ranging device that incorporates an internal tilt sensor, an internal temperature sensor, and an internal pressure sensor. The tilt sensor is used to measure the target's vertical angle relative to the horizontal reference plane. Digital signal processing circuitry controls the firing of the laser pulse, calculation of time-of-flight range, measurement of the vertical angle of the tilt sensor, measurement of ambient temperature and storage of tilt sensor and temperature sensor calibration data. The digital signal processing circuitry then provides the user temperature corrected ballistic ranging information, including horizontal range. Additionally, an automatic gain control system minimizes the effects of target to target variance in reflectivity and its associated errors. It is also an object of this invention to electronically minimize errors in the measurement of a vertical angle caused by housing vibration and by temperature variance errors.

Abstract: The present invention is a laser ranging device that incorporates an internal tilt sensor, an internal temperature sensor, and an internal pressure sensor. The tilt sensor is used to measure the target's vertical angle relative to the horizontal reference plane. Digital signal processing circuitry controls the firing of the laser pulse, calculation of time-of-flight range, measurement of the vertical angle of the tilt sensor, measurement of ambient temperature and storage of tilt sensor and temperature sensor calibration data. The digital signal processing circuitry then provides the user temperature corrected ballistic ranging information, including corrected horizontal range. Additionally, an automatic gain control system minimizes the effects of target to target variance in reflectivity and its associated errors. It is also an object of this invention to electronically minimize errors in the measurement of a vertical angle caused by housing vibration and by temperature variance errors.