A video guidance sensor system for use in automated docking of a chase vehicle with a target vehicle wherein the chase. vehicle includes a laser rangefinder that uses pulse or phase time of flight measurement to measure distance. The laser rangefinder includes a diode laser pulse or phase driver that produces an output signal to a timing element and simultaneously operates a laser diode. The laser diode produces an intense light beam of a predetermined wavelength which is directed to retroreflectors that are positioned on a passive target. The laser rangefinder includes an avalanche photodetector that produces a corresponding output signal when detecting light reflected from the retroreflectors. The timing element measures a time interval between the output of the laser diode and the detection of light and supplies a corresponding output signal to a computer in order to determine the range of the target vehicle relative to the chase vehicle.
Video Guidance Sensor System with Laser Rangefinder
02.12.2003
Sonstige
Keine Angabe
Englisch
Video Guidance Sensor and Time-of-Flight Rangefinder
NTRS | 2007
|Engineering Index Backfile | 1963