A Camera, Laser Ranger and RF MIMO SAR Mixed Imaging-Ranging Sensor for Precise, Automated Position-Keeping

The proposal presents a camera, laser ranger and RF MIMO SAR mixed imaging-ranging sensor system for precise, automated position-keeping. The system does not need to install any instruments on SSBN, and works in all weather conditions and up to sea state 4. There are two combinations of camera and laser ranger (the camera is in charge of target detection, tracking and angle estimation, and the laser ranger is in charge of ranging) installed on block vehicles nose and tail parts separately taking care of very close range measurement in all weather conditions, and there is one TDMA RF MIMO SAR installed on block vehicles nose part taking care of measurements from far to close range in all weather conditions. A novel range gated receiver structure is designed to cover the long range and at the same time maintain a narrow receiver band. Both of the two categories of sensors have the capability of imaging, target detection, tracking, and angle and range estimation. In the design, we applied state-of-art modeling and algorithm, such as TDMA MIMO SAR and image target detection and tracking, and COTS parts, etc. to minimize the project risk and at the same time maintaining a low cost.