Abstract: An area signature detection system arranged to receive an output from a sensor operative in the electromagnetic spectrum, where the output from the sensor is an amplitude varying electrical signal representing the field-of-view beheld by the sensor, and to utilize this high frequency information in such a manner that low frequency scene content, necessary for area correlation processing, can be extracted and effectively utilized. Our invention involves certain highly advantageous techniques for generating area signatures from line scan sensors, and may be applied to cartesian, circular or polar scan formats. In one particular embodiment of our invention, we describe how orthogonally disposed area signatures can be used to generate area correlation tracking signals that can be used in the derivation of appropriate missile guidance commands.

Abstract: An area signature detection system arranged to receive an output from a sensor operative in the electromagnetic spectrum, where the output from the sensor is an amplitude varying electrical signal representing the field-of-view beheld by the sensor, and to utilize this high frequency information in such a manner that low frequency scene content, necessary for area correlation processing, can be extracted and effectively utilized. Our invention involves certain highly advantageous techniques for generating area signatures from line scan sensors, and may be applied to cartesian, circular or polar scan formats. In one particular embodiment of our invention, we describe how orthogonally disposed area signatures can be used to generate area correlation tracking signals that can be used in the derivation of appropriate missile guidance commands.