Passive Target Location Using Terrain Database Iteration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active target location systems announce the target's location by using detectable laser or electromagnetic energy, which can be detected, raising concerns about visibility.
Innovation Solution
A passive method iteratively determines the latitude, longitude, and elevation of a target using line-of-sight elevation and azimuth angles, adjusting a reference point elevation until it matches the target's elevation, utilizing a digital terrain elevation database to precisely locate the target without emitting detectable radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If active target location systems use laser or electromagnetic energy to locate or mark a target, then the target location can be determined accurately, but the target location is announced to the world through detectable energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional active targeting approach by using passive observation. Instead of projecting energy at the target and measuring reflections, the system observes natural thermal radiation emitted by the target and uses atmospheric refraction effects to determine location. This inversion eliminates the need for detectable energy projection while maintaining location determination capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical laser ranging system with a thermal sensing system that detects infrared radiation. This substitution uses thermal energy detection rather than active electromagnetic energy projection, allowing passive target location without announcing the targeting action
2Object-generated harmful factors
If passive determination method is used to avoid detectable radiation, then operational stealth is improved, but the system requires complex iterative calculations with terrain databases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-loading terrain elevation data into a digital terrain database before the targeting operation. This allows the system to quickly reference terrain information during iterative calculations without requiring real-time external data access, reducing operational complexity while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through iterative calculations where the system continuously compares calculated target positions with terrain database information and adjusts measurements accordingly. This feedback loop resolves the complexity by using automated computational iteration rather than manual adjustment procedures
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise target location without announcing the targeting, ensuring stealth and accuracy through trigonometric calculations and terrain data, improving operational security by avoiding detectable energy usage.
Implementation Method 1
the latitude, longitude and elevation of a point in space that is distant from the observation point can be easily determined using simple trigonometric formulae on the azimuth, elevation angle and distance between the observation point and the target
Implementation Method 2
the actual elevation of the terrain immediately above the location they define is read from a digital terrain elevation database or DTED
Data Source
AI summary
Ground targets can be passively identified on uneven terrain from an observation point elevation above a known reference point, a line-of-sight inclination angle, an azimuth angle and a digital terrain elevation database wherein actual elevations of surrounding latitude and longitude coordinates are stored and retrievable. Using the observation point's elevation above the known reference point and using the line-of-sight elevation angle from the observation point to the ground target, an initial estimate of the latitude and longitude coordinates of the ground target is made and used as an index into a digital terrain elevation database.