Laser proximity detector for flying vehicle - obtains position of target and discriminates between various target surface areas

摘要

A laser proximity detector in a flying vehicle is used to measure the distance from a target. The detection is independent of the nature and reflecting properties of the target surfaces. This system discriminates between a plane target area and pseudo targets such as a cable or mast. An optical proximity detector is mounted in the nose of a missile and comprises a laser emitter and receiver mounted in an enclosure. A beam from the emitter is focussed by a lens and has a small angle of divergence from the perpendicular direction. Energy reflected from a target is returned to pass through optical lenses to photodiode detectors. These are mounted at a predetermined distance behind the emitter. The diode send electrical signals to a processing circuit (6) which determines the ratio between the signals in order to obtain the target position.