Panoramic Target Designation Without GPS or Inertial Platforms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for inter-designating targets between vehicles on the battlefield are unreliable and vulnerable to GPS jamming, and inertial platforms are expensive and prone to frame variations.
Innovation Solution
A method and device using a panoramic sight with a camera system and computing means to determine the orientation and location of a target in an absolute reference frame, allowing platforms to exchange target coordinates without satellite positioning systems, by comparing observed geometry with digital models and using communication means to transmit pose and distance information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS positioning systems are used to convert target coordinates to absolute reference frame, then target coordination between vehicles is enabled, but the system becomes vulnerable to GPS jamming and unreliable on the battlefield
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary reference vehicle that acts as a mediator between the designating vehicle and other platforms. Instead of relying on GPS satellites, the system uses a local reference vehicle with known geometry to establish relative positioning. The reference vehicle's digital model serves as an intermediary reference frame that enables coordinate transformation without external satellite dependency, thus resolving the vulnerability to GPS jamming.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy (3D model) of the reference vehicle that is stored in the memory of each platform. This digital model is a simplified representation that captures the essential geometric features needed for pose estimation. By using this copied model instead of relying on external GPS signals, the system achieves reliable positioning that is immune to jamming while maintaining the ability to transform coordinates between different vehicle reference frames.
2Reliability
If inertial platforms are used to position vehicles in absolute reference frame, then positioning capability is achieved, but the equipment becomes expensive and fragile
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, fragile inertial platforms with a much simpler and cheaper solution: a panoramic camera system combined with a digital model of a reference vehicle. Instead of using complex inertial measurement units (IMUs) that are costly and sensitive to shock, the system uses standard panoramic cameras and computational geometry. This substitution dramatically reduces equipment cost and fragility while maintaining the essential positioning capability through visual recognition and geometric calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical inertial sensing system with an optical-computational system. Instead of using mechanical gyroscopes and accelerometers that are prone to drift and damage, the system uses panoramic image capture followed by computational pose estimation algorithms. This replacement eliminates the need for complex mechanical inertial platforms while achieving the same positioning function through software-based geometric analysis of the reference vehicle's appearance in the panoramic image.
3Device complexity
If each vehicle uses its own local reference frame for target designation, then simple equipment is required, but coordinate exchange between vehicles becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-defining the geometric relationship between the reference vehicle and all other platforms in the system. During system setup, the pose of each vehicle relative to the reference vehicle is calculated and stored. This preliminary establishment of reference frame relationships prevents the coordinate exchange problem from occurring during operation. When target coordinates need to be shared, the pre-computed transformation matrices enable immediate and accurate coordinate conversion without requiring complex real-time calculations or additional equipment.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and device for inter-designating targets between a first platform (P1) and at least one other platform (Pi). At least one platform comprises a panoramic sight/designator pivoting around a pointing axis, and also includes a camera (1) coupled to a computing means (2) associated with communication means (3), the camera (1) providing observation of space with an angular coverage of approximately 360° around the platform. According to the method, another platform (Pi) is observed using the camera (1), and the geometry of this other platform (Pi) is compared with a digital model of this platform. From this, a first aiming reference frame (RPv1) is established relative to another orientation reference frame associated with the other platform (RPi).We can thus transmit to a second platform (P2) this placement of the first reference point (RPv1) as well as the distance (Δ) between the target and the camera means of the first platform (P1).