초록 ▼

The retro-encoded guidance system guides a flying object in its flight tod its destination by measuring and correcting the angular displacement of its actual trajectory from the straight line-of-sight to the destination. A beam of infrared light emanating from a beacon on the flying object is receiv

The retro-encoded guidance system guides a flying object in its flight tod its destination by measuring and correcting the angular displacement of its actual trajectory from the straight line-of-sight to the destination. A beam of infrared light emanating from a beacon on the flying object is received and angularly encoded by retro-encoder located at the launcher prior to being returned to the missile. The incident beam and returned beam travel on optical paths that are parallel to each other but opposite in direction. The angular encoding is achieved by a reticle of the retro-encoder imparting frequency modulation to the incident beam, the degree and phase of the modulation depending on the location on the reticle on which the beam is incident.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A retro-encoded guidance system for guiding a flying object to have a more direct trajectory toward its destination after being launched from a launcher, said system comprising: a retro-encoder mounted on the launcher; a beacon mounted on the flying object, said beacon facing aft a

[ We claim:] [1.] A retro-encoded guidance system for guiding a flying object to have a more direct trajectory toward its destination after being launched from a launcher, said system comprising: a retro-encoder mounted on the launcher; a beacon mounted on the flying object, said beacon facing aft and emitting an optical beam to travel via a first optical path to be incident on said encoder, said encoder being comprised of a rotatable-mounted reticle, said reticle selectively passing therethrough a portion of said optical beam impinging thereon, an objective lens to receive said optical beam incident thereon via said first optical path from said beacon and focus said beam onto said reticle, a retro-reflector, a recollimating lens positioned to receive said portion passing through said reticle and re-collimate said portion and further transmit said portion to impinge on said retro-reflector, said reflector being adapted for reflecting an incidend optical beam such that upon reflection, said optical beam travels via a second optical path, said first and second paths being parallel to each other but propagating in opposite directions; and a receiver located on the flying object to receive said returned beam via said second optical path and, in response to said returned beam, generate correctional signals sufficient to cause the flying object to move closer to the line-of-sight for a more direct arrival at the destination.