BEAMRIDER GUIDANCE SYSTEM USING DIGITAL PHASE MODULATION ENCODING

Abstract

A beam of electromagnetic radiation is spatially encoded using a digital phase modulation technique. The spatial encoding defines the beam cross section into a series of resolution elements each identified by a different digital code. The codes defining resolution elements are detectable by a missile located in the radiation beam and can be used to define the location of the missile in this beam. In the preferred embodiment, an encoding mask, moved through the beam at its source, provides the digital phase modulation. The mask is provided with a series of bit areas, each of which bears at least two sets of cyclically recurring bands effective to modulate a detectable parameter of the radiation, such as intensity. The spacing between adjacent bands of a set, termed a bit cycle, is proportional to a predetermined phase of the modulation of the beam parameter. The novel arrangement enables the missile to identify its position within the beam under conditions of severe atmospheric turbulence and object induced perturbations to provide corrective maneuvers for maintaining the missile velocity vector aligned with the beam.

Source: Google Patents

35 USC §181 Secrecy Order

Inventor

• 1ALLEN C. LAYTON

Sensitive facility: Bethesda MD (defense contractors)

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