Mechanical stabilization and automated positional corrections for stationary or mobile surveillance systems

摘要

A system for providing mechanical stabilization with automated corrections for stationary or mobile surveillance platforms comprises: a telescoping mast that supports a sensor package containing a camera, surveillance radar, a pan tilt unit, and a tilt sensor with a precision compass. Stabilization involves hardware and software enhancements to conventional surveillance systems. Mast stabilization is achieved by a mechanical guy-wire arrangement which provides for both anti-twist and anti-sway support of the mast upper end through a crisscrossed guy wire arrangement. Eight different software algorithms contribute to stability and highly accurate and rapid slewing of the surveillance equipment. A mast tilt calibration algorithm in combination with a calibration sensor package provides for automatic electronic leveling of the camera with dwells at predetermined pan angles. A mast stability measurement algorithm assesses mechanical stability of the mast by comparing measured mass tilt versus pan characteristics to an ideal curve for a perfectly stabile mast.