Optical growth compensator

Abstract

A moving target detector for spinning bodies such as projectiles or missiles uses a linear detector array so mounted on the body as to periodically scan an arcuate target area during the spin of the body. Compensation for the resulting optical growth of the target area image as the body approaches the target is accomplished by serially reading the image information from the detector elements (in a direction radial of the target area) into a delay element chain at a variable rate, and dumping the delay chain contents in parallel into the image memory at a fixed rate. The readout rate variation is pre-programmed prior to launch, and feed-back loop may be provided to adjust the rate if the image evaluation circuits detect apparent radial movement of evidently stationary objects near the target.