Abstract: A radar array linearly traverses an area of ground. Additional radar elements fore and aft of the array detect changes in elevation and orientation of the array. These elements act as a preview for the height changes due to ground variation. Any variation in height that is not detected by these fore and aft-mounted elements is thus due to variation in radar elevation and/or orientation and can be subtracted from the resulting data without introducing distortion. Correction factors are applied to the range data returned from each element in the array, which normalizes the data and makes it appear as if the array did not change orientation or elevation.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for gathering intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance information comprises a synthetic aperture radar that is housed within an enclosure coupled to a land vehicle. The synthetic aperture radar includes an antenna array that transmits and receives electro-magnetic radiation for generating images of objects around the land vehicle while the land vehicle is in motion.

Abstract: A laser range finder measures the range between itself and another laser range finder by propagating a laser beam only in one way therebetween. A laser unit generates a short-pulse laser beam to be transmitted to the other laser range finder. A photodetector receives a short-pulse laser beam transmitted from the other laser range finder and detects the direction of the other laser range finder. A pointing unit adjusts the direction the laser beam generated by the laser unit is to be transmitted, into alignment with the direction of the other laser range finder. A controller stores in advance a holding time after the other laser range finder receives the short-pulse laser until the other laser range finder transmits the short-pulse laser, and calculates the range between the laser range finders from the time the short-pulse laser beam is transmitted, the short-pulse laser beam is received, and the holding time.

Abstract: Ground targets can be passively identified on uneven terrain from an observation point elevation above a known reference point, a line-of-sight inclination angle, an azimuth angle and a digital terrain elevation database wherein actual elevations of surrounding latitude and longitude coordinates are stored and retrievable. Using the observation point's elevation above the known reference point and using the line-of-sight elevation angle from the observation point to the ground target, an initial estimate of the latitude and longitude coordinates of the ground target is made and used as an index into a digital terrain elevation database.

Abstract: A ladar system with phase correction. The novel ladar system includes optics for receiving a first signal that is a reflected version of a transmitted laser signal, an optical delay line for providing a second signal that is a delayed version of the transmitted laser signal, and a mechanism for mixing the first signal with the second signal. The second signal is delayed by a time TD that reduces a relative time difference between the first and second signals such that phase errors caused by laser transmitter instabilities and nonlinear modulation are less than a predetermined level.

Abstract: There is provided an optical velocimeter for achieving miniaturization and lower power consumption thereof and for accurately detecting two-dimensional travel velocity of a measured object. This optical velocimeter includes a light-emitting element, a diffraction grating, two light-receiving sections, and a signal processing circuit. Light emitted from the light-emitting element is branched by the diffraction grating into three light fluxes, and optical axes of the divided light fluxes are intersected one another on the measured object to form one detection point. Scattered light from the detection point frequency-shifted by travel of the measured object is then received by the two light-receiving sections, and a light-reception signals outputted from the light-receiving sections are processed in the signal processing circuit to detect travel velocities of two directions of the measured object.

Abstract: A rotary laser apparatus includes a light-projection section configured to irradiate at least two fan-shaped beams extending in a fan-shaped form in a direction orthogonal to a rotary axis. The light-projecting section includes a laser beam source for generating a laser beam in a direction of the rotary axis, and a rotation-irradiating section configured for irradiating the laser beam from the laser beam source in directions orthogonal to the rotary axis. The rotation-irradiating section includes a plurality of penta prisms and a beam splitter. The plurality of the penta prisms are arranged in the direction of the rotary axis depending upon the number of the fan-shaped beams such that light-emitting directions of the respective penta prisms differ from each other or one another, and the beam splitter is configured to the laser beam as required the penta prism arranged above.

Abstract: A distance-measuring optical apparatus for measuring a distance to an object as a target comprises an imaging optical system; an image sensor; a driving section for moving at least the imaging optical system substantially perpendicular to an optical axis; an image sensor control section for outputting a periodical timing signal for designating a timing at which the image sensor takes an object image; and a driving control section for controlling the driving section to reciprocate the imaging optical system. The timing signal is periodically output when the imaging optical system is located near two positions away from each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis. The distance-measuring optical apparatus further comprises an image processing operation section for finding, through an operation, a distance from the imaging optical system to the object using the image signal when the imaging optical system is at each of the two positions.

Abstract: First image data including a first pixel value according to the intensity of background light is obtained by means of only exposure. Second image data including a second pixel value according to the intensity of the light reflected or scattered by an object is obtained by so controlling light emission and exposure as to receive part of the reflected or scattered light over the whole exposure period. The part of the reflected or scattered light corresponds to the flat period of emitted pulsed light. Third image data including a third pixel value according to the distance to the object is obtained by so controlling light emission and exposure as to receive the part of the reflected or scattered light for a time according to the distance. The first pixel value is subtracted from each of the second and third pixel values so that the influence of the background light can be excluded.

Abstract: A method of tracking a target includes: (a) receiving energy from the target at a plurality of spatial orientations; (b) processing the received energy; (c) evaluating a penalty function at each of the plurality of spatial orientations; (d) selecting a new spatial orientation based on the evaluation; and (e) orienting a receiver to receive energy from the target at the new spatial orientation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sight adjuster for a velocity measurement system for sighting a projectile. A velocity measurement unit has a front sensor area and a back sensor area, and the sight adjuster has a front panel with a sighting bore such that the front panel is for positioning in the front sensor area of the velocity measurement unit, and the sight adjuster has a back panel for positioning in the back sensor area of the velocity measurement unit, and a light projects through the front panel sighting bore to strike the back panel.

Abstract: A direct-reading stadia rod includes a flexible tape and a sensing head that is movable therealong. The sensing head includes a keyboard, a movement sensor, a laser beam receiver, and a display. The rod is calibrated with a benchmark elevation by placing the base of the tape on a point of known elevation and moving the sensing head along the tape until it is properly aligned with the beam of a remote laser level. With the sensing head fixed at that location on the tape, the benchmark elevation is input using the keyboard. Thereafter, the tape is placed upon a point of unknown elevation, and the sensing head is moved until the laser beam receiver again detects alignment with the laser plane. Based on data from the movement sensor indicated by the sensing head from the benchmark position, the elevation of the second point is automatically determined and displayed.