A method for determining situational awareness in a worksite includes setting at least one environment modelling apparatus (EM) at least one of: on a machine or external from the machine; setting at least one tracking apparatus (TA) at least one of: on the machine or external from the machine; acquiring data by the at least one tracking apparatus (TA); and acquiring data by the at least one environment modelling apparatus. Further, the method includes receiving, by at least one position determination unit (PDU), data related to the at least one tracking apparatus (TA) and data related to the at least one environment modelling apparatus (EM); and determining, by the at least one position determination unit (PDU), based at least in part on the received data, the location and orientation of the machine in the worksite.

A system includes a target illumination laser (TIL) configured to illuminate an airborne target with a TIL beam. The system also includes a beacon illuminator (BIL) configured to transmit a spot of illumination to an expected location on the target, wherein the spot of illumination is more focused than the TIL beam. The system also includes a camera configured to receive an image of the spot reflected off the target. The system also includes a controller configured to determine an actual location of the spot on the target based on the received image. The controller is also configured to estimate a spot motion by correlating the actual location of the spot on the target with the expected location on the target. The controller is also configured to predict uplink jitter of a high energy laser (HEL) beam generated by a HEL based on the BIL spot motion, the uplink jitter caused by atmospheric optical turbulence.

A system includes a target illumination laser (TIL) configured to illuminate an airborne target with a TIL beam. The system also includes a beacon illuminator (BIL) configured to transmit a spot of illumination to an expected location on the target, wherein the spot of illumination is more focused than the TIL beam. The system also includes a camera configured to receive an image of the spot reflected off the target. The system also includes a controller configured to determine an actual location of the spot on the target based on the received image. The controller is also configured to estimate a spot motion by correlating the actual location of the spot on the target with the expected location on the target. The controller is also configured to predict uplink jitter of a high energy laser (HEL) beam generated by a HEL based on the BIL spot motion, the uplink jitter caused by atmospheric optical turbulence.

A timing apparatus, system, and method are provided to determine a position of a rotating object in a device, such as an engine, and control the device according to the determined position of the rotating object. Light is emitted from a light source onto a reflecting region on a portion of the rotating object. Light is reflected off the reflecting region of the rotating object and detected as the rotating object rotates. Intensity of the reflected light is measured, via a microcontroller, and the position of the rotating object is determined according to the intensity of the detected light. A signal is generated that corresponds to the intensity of the detected light associated with the determined position of the rotating shaft. The reflecting region has a feature configured to effect a change in the intensity of the reflected light as the rotating object rotates. The microcontroller is configured to determine the determined position and to utilize the determined position and the change in the signal to control operating characteristics of the device.

A timing apparatus, system, and method are provided to determine a position of a rotating object in a device, such as an engine, and control the device according to the determined position of the rotating object. Light is emitted from a light source onto a reflecting region on a portion of the rotating object. Light is reflected off the reflecting region of the rotating object and detected as the rotating object rotates. Intensity of the reflected light is measured, via a microcontroller, and the position of the rotating object is determined according to the intensity of the detected light. A signal is generated that corresponds to the intensity of the detected light associated with the determined position of the rotating shaft. The reflecting region has a feature configured to effect a change in the intensity of the reflected light as the rotating object rotates. The microcontroller is configured to determine the determined position and to utilize the determined position and the change in the signal to control operating characteristics of the device.

Techniques of measuring vibrations from an object surface using LIDAR includes grouping beams having similar vibration velocity values over a specified time window and replace outlier vibration velocity values with a vibration velocity value based on the similar vibration velocity values over the specified time window. Advantageously, replacing outlier vibration velocity values with a value based on vibration velocity values of similar beams results in a more accurate profile of the vibration velocity field over the surface.

Techniques of measuring vibrations from an object surface using LIDAR includes grouping beams having similar vibration velocity values over a specified time window and replace outlier vibration velocity values with a vibration velocity value based on the similar vibration velocity values over the specified time window. Advantageously, replacing outlier vibration velocity values with a value based on vibration velocity values of similar beams results in a more accurate profile of the vibration velocity field over the surface.

A system includes a target illumination laser (TIL) configured to generate a TIL beam that illuminates a target and a beacon illumination laser (BIL) configured to generate a BIL beam that creates a spot on the target. The system also includes an imaging sensor configured to capture both (i) first images of the target containing reflected TIL energy from the TIL beam without reflected BIL energy from the BIL beam and (ii) second images of the target containing reflected TIL energy from the TIL beam and reflected BIL energy from the BIL beam. The system further includes at least one controller configured to perform target tracking using the first images and boresight error compensation using the second images.

Sonar steering systems offering improved functionality and ease of use for an operator (e.g., an angler) are provided. A sonar steering system is configured to automatically adjust the directional coverage volume of the sonar system in a hands-free manner to allow the operator to focus on other tasks. Some such sonar steering systems are configured to adjust the directional coverage volume of the sonar transducers to maintain a target such as an area of interest (AOI) within the sonar display despite movement of the watercraft relative to the target. Accordingly, the coverage volume may be automatically adjusted to maintain the aim of the sonar transducers at a target that is moving through the water, such as a school of fish.

A method for searching for a target object, which is moved along a path, by a measuring device which has a first reference system, a control device, and an operating controller which has a GNSS receiver having a second reference system and which is connectable to the measuring device via a communication connection.