Abstract: A method and device for determining the relative position and the natural relative path of an approaching space vehicle with respect to an approached space vehicle. At each of two successive instants t1 and t2, the apparent position and apparent magnitude of the approached space vehicle are measured, and the position of the reference point (o) of the approaching space vehicle is calculated. The components of the relative velocity of the approaching space vehicle with respect to the approached space vehicle are calculated; and the position coordinates of the reference point tied to the approaching space vehicle are calculated at an arbitrary instant t.

Abstract: A system for detecting and automatically correcting X-Y errors in displayed image data. In a specific implementation, the invention (6, 10) includes a display driver ( 12, 14, 16, 4 ) for commanding the display ( 2 ) to display a picture element of an image at a predetermined position on a display screen thereof. The actual position of the displayed picture element is detected (6) and used to calculate a set of correction factors which are used in real time to correct the positioning of picture elements of actual image data (20, 24, 5).

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides instantaneous passive range measurement oard an aircraft for determining the range between the aircraft and a target. The target may either be stationary or a slower moving vehicle. Calculation of the desired range is achieved using the formula: Range=(S/S')V(Cos a)(Cos b) where "S"=apparent target size; "S'"=rate of change of apparent size; "V"=ground velocity; "a"=azimuth angle from aircraft heading to target; and "b"=elevation angle from the aircraft heading to the target. The apparatus consists of an automatic video tracker, a video camera, and a servo controlled aiming platform. The video tracker provides target size data. Resolvers on the aiming platform are utilized to determine the azimuth and elevation angles from the aircraft axis to the target. The azimuth angle is added to the aircraft drift angle to determine the total azimuth angle from the aircraft heading to the target. The drift angle and ground velocity are obtained from the aircraft inertial system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides instantaneous passive range measurement oard an aircraft for determining the range between the aircraft and a target. The target may either be stationary and on the earth's surface, or a slower moving vehicle. Calculation of the desired range is achieved using the formula: Range=[Sin a/Sin b] V; where "a"=angle from aircraft heading to target, "b"=turning rate; and "V"=ground velocity. The apparatus consists of an automatic video tracker, a video camera, and a servo controlled aiming platform. A resolver on the aiming platform is utilized to determine the angle from the aircraft axis to the target. This angle is added to the aircraft drift angle to determine the total angle from the aircraft heading to the target. The video tracker is utilized to determine the turning rate of the aiming platform.

Abstract: A microwave locating system is provided for locating known features and distinguishing between different types of features. The locating system includes a plurality of modulated microwave power sources located on known features and radiating modulated microwave signals having modulated frequencies selected in accordance with the known features. A video detection sensor camera is located remote from the sources for sensing microwave signals within a field of view and providing location signals for each of the sources. The camera includes an array of receiver elements which provide narrow bandwidth filtering so as to identify received signals as one of a plurality of selected modulated frequencies. The locating system further provides an image of the location signals which distinguishes between different selected located features.