GPS - A POINTING AID FOR THEODOLITES, LASER TRACKERS AND THREAT EMITTERS

Abstract

The GPS equipment developed in the tri-service GPS range applications program is now available for use. One promising application on test and training ranges is for pointing control of theodolites, laser trackers, and threat emitters. Theodolites and laser trackers are capable of extremely high accuracy in range applications, but suffer from a very narrow acquisition range, thus requiring external acquisition aiding. Unmanned threat emitters are also used that require external pointing information. In this application of GPS, a GPS receiver or translator is used on the test or training vehicle, and the position of the vehicle is downlinked to the tracking site. A pointing angle is then computed at the tracking site and is used to point or steer the theodolite, laser tracker, or threat emitter. Because of the high accuracy, of differential GPS, this method is very precise. Also, with a direct high-rate datalink, time delays for the pointing information can be very low, again providing very accurate pointing for high-dynamic vehicles. This method promises to be a highly cost-effective approach for steering these devices because it eliminates the requirement for continuous manning of the sites.