Abstract: A beacon modulated by a pattern is authenticated by recording an array of light intensities for each point in a field of view; digitizing the array of light intensities; modifying a first array according to the digitized light-intensities and the modulation pattern; repeating these steps for additional frames at the current viewpoint; if the beacon is found then repeating these steps for additional frames; if the beacon is found and additional frames were processed then authenticating the beacon at the point in the current viewpoint corresponding to the value in the first array that exceeds a first threshold by the widest margin; if the beacon was not found, moving to a new point in the field of view and repeating the steps above; if the beacon is again not found, adjusting the modulation bit pattern x bits, and reprocessing the viewpoints in the field of view using the steps above.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of authenticating a beacon, such as used in optical and infrared signaling systems for communication or location determination, and aligning a beacon source and beacon sensor used for pointing or orientation-determining functions.