Hughes Aircraft Company

Earl L Emerson

Arthur K Rue

Gordon T Pope

Target or scene tracking capability is provided by a dual mode video tracker which includes both a correlation processor (30) and a centroid processor (32) for processing incoming video signals representing the target scene (20) and for generating tracking error signals over an entire video frame or a selected mode thereof. A microcomputer (26) controls the operation of the correlation and centroid processors, as well as a preprocessor (28) which preconditions the incoming video signals. The tracker operates in any of several modes in which the correlation and centroid processors function either independently or cooperatively with each other. The correlation processor generates a reference map in pixel format which is used to produce azimuth and elevation optimal weighting values for each pixel in the field-of-view. The reference map is recursively updated. The track gate for the correlation processor is automatically sized using a gradient function derived from the optimal weighting values. The gradient function is also employed along with difference video to determine correlation tracking status. The correlation and centroid tracking errors may be combined to form a composite signal defining a true complementary function.

Growing community of inventors

Placentia, CA, United States of America

Earl L Emerson