System and method for transitioning from a missile warning system to a fine tracking system in a directional infrared countermeasures system
View Patent ↗A method for transitioning a target from a missile warning system to a fine tracking system in a directional countermeasures system includes capturing at least one image within a field of view of the missile warning system. The method further includes identifying a threat from the captured image or images and identifying features surrounding the threat. These features are registered with the threat and image within a field of view of the fine tracking system is captured. The registered features are used to identify a location of a threat within this captured image.
1. A method for transitioning a target from a missile warning system to a fine tracking system in a directional countermeasures system, the method comprising:
capturing at least one lower-resolution image within a field of view of the missile warning system;
identifying a threat from the captured lower-resolution image or images;
identifying features surrounding the threat from a captured lower-resolution image utilized in identifying the threat;
capturing a higher-resolution image within a field of view of the fine tracking system; and
identifying a location of a threat within this captured higher-resolution image as a function of the identified features, and
wherein the operations of capturing at least one lower-resolution image and capturing a higher-resolution image include sensing infrared radiation emitted by the threat.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein identifying the threat from the captured lower-resolution image or images comprises processing a sequence of captured lower-resolution images to identify the threat.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein identifying features surrounding the threat from a captured lower-resolution image utilized in identifying the threat includes registering the features to thereby define the position of each of the features relative to the threat.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the method further comprises:
determining a contrast between the threat and a background portion of the lower-resolution image; and
when the contrast is greater than a threshold level, identifying a location of a threat within the captured higher-resolution image without the use of the identified features.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the method further includes performing countermeasures on the threat identified within the captured higher-resolution image.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein performing countermeasures includes illuminating the threat with modulated infrared radiation.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein identifying features surrounding the threat from a captured lower-resolution image utilized in identifying the threat comprises analyzing a subimage of the captured lower-resolution image that includes the threat.