John Paul Tyson

US Patent:

6469783, Oct 22, 2002

Filed:

Apr 19, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/838064

Inventors:

Michael L. Wells - Hawthorne CA
John A. Tyson - Lawndale CA

Assignee:

Raytheon Company - Lexington MA

International Classification:

G01B 1126

US Classification:

35613905, 244 316, 244 311

Abstract:

A system ( ) for tracking a missile ( ) in flight, the missile ( ) having an optical beacon generator ( ) that outputs a modulated signal ( ) having a predetermined frequency, including an optical system ( ) for transmitting image data along an optical path ( ) onto an array of detectors ( ), such that each detector in the array ( ) receives substantially simultaneously the image data from the optical system ( ). The system ( ) further includes means for processing (46) the image data transmitted onto the array of detectors ( ) in order to locate the optical beacon ( ).

US Patent:

50744917, Dec 24, 1991

Filed:

Aug 14, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/566923

Inventors:

John A. Tyson - Lawndale CA

Assignee:

Hughes Aircraft Company - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

F41G 732
F42B 1504

US Classification:

244 311

Abstract:

A method for measuring boresight and parallax misalignment between multiple missile track links and for compensating guidance of a missile to a selected target. The method is applicable to any missile tracking system employing multiple track links. A missile is projected toward a target along a line of sight and tracked by multiple tracking sensors. Instantaneous output signals of any two tracking sensors are compared to determine instantaneous errors in boresight, parallax, or random errors. The error information is used to compute boresight and parallax correction terms. The correction terms are fed into conventional missile guidance algorithms to correct errors between the tracking sensor's line of sight and an operator's line of sight. Misalignment is measured during missile flight and the missile is used as a reference source in measuring the misalignments. The method is useful in tracking systems mounted on moving vehicles where accurate alignment of track links is difficult.