Abstract: A laser spot tracker comprising a quadrant detector. A portion of a spot of laser light reflected from an object being illuminated (OBI) may be defocused to occupy a significant portion such as one-third of the field of view, while another portion remains focused, therefore allowing for quick calculation of the spot centroid. With such a “composite spot”, multiple target (OBI) positions may simultaneously be defined in elevation and azimuth with respect to null by analyzing the energy in each quadrant. The X and Y angle information (off null) for multiple targets (OBIs), and their codes may be displayed. For a large, defocused spot, two segmented multi-element detectors may be used, one in front of and the other behind the focal plane to reduce the effects of hot spots in a spot of laser light collected from an object being illuminated.

Abstract: A laser spot tracker comprising a quadrant detector. A portion of a spot of laser light reflected from an object being illuminated (OBI) may be defocused to occupy a significant portion such as one-third of the field of view, while another portion remains focused, therefore allowing for quick calculation of the spot centroid. With such a “composite spot”, multiple target (OBI) positions may simultaneously be defined in elevation and azimuth with respect to null by analyzing the energy in each quadrant. The X and Y angle information (off null) for multiple targets (OBIs), and their codes may be displayed. For a large, defocused spot, two segmented multi-element detectors may be used, one in front of and the other behind the focal plane to reduce the effects of hot spots in a spot of laser light collected from an object being illuminated.

Abstract: A laser spot tracker device comprising a laser tracker receiver using a quadrant detector incorporated into a pair of binoculars or optical telescope system with a crosshair or reticule. Directional information from the laser tracker receiver is displayed to an operator (JTAC) to allow the reticule to be manually steered on to the target illuminated by the laser, thus identifying the target to the spotter. The laser code may be pre-selected to track a particular designator, or, the tracker may read out the code or codes of laser spots within its field of view.

Abstract: A laser spot tracker device comprising a laser tracker receiver using a quadrant detector incorporated into a pair of binoculars or optical telescope system with a crosshair or reticule. Directional information from the laser tracker receiver is displayed to an operator (JTAC) to allow the reticule to be manually steered on to the target illuminated by the laser, thus identifying the target to the spotter. The laser code may be pre-selected to track a particular designator, or, the tracker may read out the code or codes of laser spots within its field of view.

Abstract: A driver supplying a total current to a load has a plurality (n) of driver stages (ST1 . . . STn). One stage is a master stage. Each driver stage has a switching device (Q) and an inductor (L) connected in series between the switching device and the output of the driver stage. The switching devices are turned ON in sequence with one another, during a cycle time (Tc) which is determined by sensing current through the inductor (L1) in the master stage. When the switching device is turned ON current through the inductor rises, when the inductor current reaches the value of a demanded current the switch is turned OFF, and after the switch is turned OFF the inductor continues to supply (output) current to the load with a current which ramps down. A rectifying device (D) connected between the inductor and the supply line allows current to continue to flow in the inductor and be supplied to the load after the switch is turned OFF.

Abstract: A driver supplying a total current to a load has a plurality (n) of driver stages (ST1 . . . STn). One stage is a master stage. Each driver stage has a switching device (Q) and an inductor (L) connected in series between the switching device and the output of the driver stage. The switching devices are turned ON in sequence with one another, during a cycle time (Tc) which is determined by sensing current through the inductor (L1) in the master stage. When the switching device is turned ON current through the inductor rises, when the inductor current reaches the value of a demanded current the switch is turned OFF, and after the switch is turned OFF the inductor continues to supply (output) current to the load with a current which ramps down. A rectifying device (D) connected between the inductor and the supply line allows current to continue to flow in the inductor and be supplied to the load after the switch is turned OFF.