The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 17, 1984
Filed:
Aug. 04, 1980
Donald R Cargille, Venice, CA (US);
Hughes Aircraft Company, El Segundo, CA (US);
Abstract
An adaptive comparator is provided which compares a signal from a horizon sensor of a satellite to a predetermined threshold to provide a signal indicative of the relative position of a celestial body with improved noise immunity. When the comparator receives a signal from the horizon sensor which exceeds the threshold, an output is provided which may be used to change the orientation of the spacecraft. The comparator includes circuitry for ascertaining the average of one or more of the most recent input pulses which exceeded the previous threshold. This average is then utilized to set a new or adapted threshold. The subsequent input signal is then compared to the adapted threshold and the recursive process continues.