Miss-Distance Accuracy via Electro-Optic Navigation Error Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for determining the miss-distance between platforms, such as GNSS and INS, suffer from inaccuracies due to inherent measurement errors, which can lead to inaccurate calculations in scenarios like intercepting airborne platforms aiming to avoid direct impact.
Innovation Solution
A computerized method and system that utilizes an electro-optic sensor (camera) to obtain additional data, calculating navigation errors and correcting the relative position of platforms, thereby improving the accuracy of miss-distance calculations by transforming and correcting navigation data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional positioning devices (GNSS/INS) are used to determine miss-distance, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the measurement precision is insufficient due to inherent inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
An electro-optic sensor (camera) is introduced as an intermediary device to capture images of the target platform. The camera provides additional measurement data that serves as a mediator between the conventional positioning devices and the final miss-distance calculation, enabling correction of navigation errors without completely replacing the existing system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical/electronic positioning measurements with optical measurements from the camera. By substituting the measurement mechanism from GNSS/INS radio signals to optical image capture and processing, the system achieves higher precision in determining relative platform positions and correcting navigation errors
2Measurement precision
If additional electro-optic sensor data is used to correct navigation errors, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The correction process is segmented into distinct computational stages: extracting platform position and orientation from camera images, calculating navigation errors based on the discrepancy between observed and expected positions, and applying corrections to the miss-distance calculation. This segmentation makes the complex processing more manageable and systematic
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using the camera observations to detect navigation errors and then feeding this error information back to correct the positioning data. The calculated navigation errors are continuously used to adjust and refine the miss-distance measurements, creating a closed-loop correction mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
The presently disclosed subject matter includes a computerized method and system for determining miss-distance between platforms. The proposed method and system make use of an electro optic sensor (e.g. camera) mounted on one of the platforms for obtaining additional data which is used for improving the accuracy of positioning data obtained from conventional positioning devices. A navigation error is calculated where the relative position of the two platforms is converted to the camera reference frame. Once the navigation error is available, it can be used to correct a measured miss-distance.