Abstract: A system and method for maintaining a laser impinging on a laser detector assembly includes determining a location of the laser from a rotating laser transmitter impinging on a laser sensor. A current position of the laser sensor along a mast of the laser detector assembly is determined and a new position for the laser sensor along the mast is determined based on the location of the laser impinging on the laser sensor and a current position of the laser sensor. The laser sensor is then moved to the new position. The system and method provide an effectively long working range of the laser detector assembly by moving the laser sensor along the mast of the laser detector assembly. An inertial measurement unit is used to calculate position information in the period between laser strikes.

Abstract: A method for determining an elevation of a laser detector assembly includes calculating an estimated elevation of a laser detector assembly based on data from an inertial measurement unit and a detected laser strike. The estimated elevation is then output. A detected elevation of the laser detector assembly is calculated based on the detected laser strike and the detected elevation is output in response to the detected laser strike. The estimated elevation is calculated and output between outputs of detected elevations.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining a laser impinging on a laser detector assembly includes determining a location of the laser from a rotating laser transmitter impinging on a laser sensor. A current position of the laser sensor along a mast of the laser detector assembly is determined and a new position for the laser sensor along the mast is determined based on the location of the laser impinging on the laser sensor and a current position of the laser sensor. The laser sensor is then moved to the new position. The system and method provide an effectively long working range of the laser detector assembly by moving the laser sensor along the mast of the laser detector assembly. An inertial measurement unit is used to calculate position information in the period between laser strikes.

Abstract: A method for determining an elevation of a laser detector assembly includes calculating an estimated elevation of a laser detector assembly based on data from an inertial measurement unit and a detected laser strike. The estimated elevation is then output. A detected elevation of the laser detector assembly is calculated based on the detected laser strike and the detected elevation is output in response to the detected laser strike. The estimated elevation is calculated and output between outputs of detected elevations.