Raytheon Company

Kent McCormack

John B Allen

Ching-ju Jennifer Young

Larry A Turner

A reflected laser pulse ( ) is received by a detector ( ) which is a single component of a detector array ( ). The reflected laser pulse is then amplified by an amplifier ( ) and sent through a matched filter ( ) to optimize the signal-to-noise ratio. A data sampler ( ) takes samples of the reflected laser pulse ( ) and stores the data samples within a temporary data storage ( ). A comparator ( ) compares each data sample in the temporary data storage ( ) to a predetermined threshold constant to determine if the threshold constant has been exceeded. When the threshold constant is exceeded, the data from the temporary data storage ( ) is sent to a buffer ( ) where it is held while an analog-to-digital converter ( ) digitizes the samples for use by a computer ( ) in identifying an object and determining the location of the detected object. The identity and location of the detected object are displayed on a display device ( ).

Method and device for identifying an object and determining its location

Improved methods of calculating offset correction values for detector elements of an infrared detector array. The methods can be used for one-dimensional scanning arrays, and performed twice for two-dimensional staring arrays. (FIGS.,and,). The array is dithered so that two or more neighboring detector elements of the array look at the same location of a scene. (FIG.,, Step,). Then, two fields of pixel data are processed to calculate an offset correction value for each detector element. (FIG.,, Steps,, and,). For each detector element, its offset error is calculated from local averages, with the local average for a particular detector element including a term for that detector element as well as terms for a neighboring detector element. A &ldquo;one-step&rdquo; method uses the sum of &ldquo;shifted image differences&rdquo; from two fields. A &ldquo;scene term&rdquo; may be added to each offset correction value to compensate for dither bias.

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Alexandria, VA, United States of America

Kent McCormack