WO2017026956A2

WO2017026956A2 - An artillery surveying device

Info

Publication number: WO2017026956A2
Application number: PCT/TR2016/000116
Authority: WO
Inventors: Levent GUNER; Mustafa Ozgur ATESOGLU; Alper Demir; Onur GUNER; Murat Eren; Alper Ozturk
Original assignee: Aselsan Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Current assignee: Aselsan Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Priority date: 2015-08-13
Filing date: 2016-08-12
Publication date: 2017-02-16
Anticipated expiration: 2018-02-13
Also published as: WO2017026956A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel artillery surveying device which performs the duties of creating a common coordinate system in the battlefield, determining the points which provide very precise location information, determining the necessary location and direction angles for the sensors and systems, determining the location and direction angles of the weapons system or specialized mission tools, essentially comprising; a sensitive plate (2), a base (3), two arms (4) which are present at the sides of the base (3), which extend in the vertical direction, and to which the sensitive plate (2) is connected, one handle (5) apiece which are present on the arms (4), connection interface detail (6) and shaft (14) which are used for mounting the base (3) of the surveying device (1) to the mounting interface (15), mounting interface (15) which enables the surveying device (1) to be placed on various platforms and/or vehicles, an optical system (7) which enables aiming to the target, a distance meter (9) which enables measuring of the distance to the target, A GPS antenna (10) which enables the signals that are sent by the GPS satellites to be received, an inertial navigation system (11) which enables the calculation of the location, direction angle and the angle with respect to the earth plane, a control unit (12) which is adapted to run the surveying algorithms using the information coming from the distance meter (9) and the inertial navigation system (11).

Description

SPECIFICATIONS

AN ARTILLERY SURVEYING DEVICE Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a novel artillery surveying device which performs the duties of creating a common coordinate system in the battlefield, determining the points which provide very precise location information, determining the necessary location and direction angles for the sensors and systems, determining the location and direction angles of the weapons system or specialized mission tools, and directing them.

Background of the Invention

Surveying systems are used for generating lines that are making known angles with the points in the field with known locations, and with the north. The surveying systems can be studied in three groups which are the classical surveying systems (theodolites), gyroscopic systems having pendulums, and inertial navigation systems.

The technique that is in the classical systems is based on the basis of moving a known coordinate and direction angle of a known point, in the field, by traversing. In the field, the information of the location and direction angle needs to be transferred until a desired area, with the measurements of angle and distance from the known point. For every measurement, the angle and distance measurement devices (theodolite, total station etc.) need to be set up on a tripod, need to be made parallel to the ground, the measurement need to be taken and all these processes need to be repeated in the next measurement point. Especially in rough terrain, this method takes too much time, and only 2 kilometers of advancement can be achieved in an hour [1]. The gyro-theodolite systems having a pendulum, which are set up on tripods work in the following principle: in the event that the location information is supplied to the system at the point where the measurement is going to be made, if the system is set up on a tripod and brought to be parallel to the ground using a bubble level, the angle of the line that is being looked at with the north can be found. In order to get the systems parallel to the ground at every measurement point, it is needed to wait approximately five minutes, and for the measurement for locating the north, it is needed to wait approximately between four to ten minutes. As these systems are dependent to GPS for the location information, they cannot perform measurements once the GPS is jammed. These systems that only operate in fixed state need to be restarted in every battery position and it is needed to wait until the north is located. In these applications, it took too much time for the information of the position coordinates and the angle with the north, which, the artillery units need in order to fire, to be supplied by the surveying units, and it affected the ability to quickly relocate to a new position and be ready to fire negatively.

The fire support means which do not have location/direction finding systems on themselves have to wait for the old fashioned surveying unit to make measurements lasting hours with theodolites for finding a location and direction reference for the new position in order to relocate from one position to another. This, in turn, increases the possibility of the units to be located.

Whereas, in the inertial systems that are used by themselves (such as AN/USQ-70 PADS), an external theodolite is needed for the direction angle to be transferred. Again, at every measurement point it is needed to set the theodolite up on a tripod, bring it parallel to the ground and aim. This operation also takes five to ten minutes. As for other surveying systems based on inertial navigation, they are systems that are only suitable to be used on top of a vehicle because they are heavy, and at points that cannot be reached by a vehicle, there is no possibility to use these systems.

Resources

[1] US. Field Artillery School Positioning and Navigation Master Plan, 2002

Problems Solved by the Invention

The object of the invention is to develop an artillery surveying device which enables creating a common coordinate system in the battlefield, determining the points which provide very precise location information, determining the necessary location and direction angles for the sensors and systems, determining the location and direction angles of the weapons system or specialized mission tools, and directing them.

With the artillery surveying device, all surveying calculations are realized automatically by the control unit. The user is only obligated to aim to the point from which he/she wants to take measurements from via the optical system.

The most important privilege that renders the artillery surveying device from other surveying systems is that it is an authentic design which brings the superior features of the static north finder gyroscope-theodolite systems and dynamic direction finder gyroscopic systems. The features of the system which render it different from other surveying systems are that it can perform surveying very fast by the virtue of the inertial navigation system, it can perform its duty in an operational state on a tripod, a backpack or a vehicle, it can carry out its duties in a short time and its high precision of finding location/direction. The system can be carried and used by a single person as well as it can be integrated to various vehicles. By this way it has the ability to perform its duties in different conditions. The artillery surveying device can operate without needing extra time for finding the north. It takes less than a minute of time for the system to become ready to measure. The measurements can be made by aiming to the target and pushing a single button. The artillery surveying device can operate without the need of being brought parallel to the ground on a tripod. On the contrary to the other systems, as there is no need for leveling (bringing it parallel to the ground), the time for setting up and packing up the system is close to none. In the other systems, the leveling time can be as much as 5 minutes. In the subject of artillery fire, where time is of vital importance, this time is very important for the survival of the personnel.

When the artillery surveying device is being directed to the target, the need for rotation measurement devices such as encoders and the like is eliminated by measuring the angles that are made by the ground plane via the inertial navigation system. By this virtue, the rotation axes in the surveying device do not need to be perpendicular to each other; the need for producing precision parts, and the need for calibration are eliminated. Thus, when the surveying device is being directed to the target, the movements in the structure (tripod, platform etc.) to which the device is connected, such as stretching and/or torsion do not affect the precision of measurement.

The system, as opposed to the classical methods, does not have to advance carrying the information of the known point. The current location of the system and the direction angle of place it is facing is its reference.

Detailed Description of the Invention A surveying device that is realized in order to fulfill the objects of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where: Figure 1. Front perspective view of the surveying device.

Figure 2. Back perspective view of the surveying device.

Figure 3. Side perspective view of the surveying device.

Elements shown in the figures are individually numbered, and the correspondence of these numbers are given as follows:

1. Surveying device

2. Sensitive plate

3. Base

4. Arm

5. Handle

6. Connection interface detail

7. Optical system

8. Fine tuning mechanism

9. Distance meter

10. GPS antenna

11. Inertial navigation system

12. Control unit

13. Power supply

14. Shaft

15. Mounting interface

The surveying device (1) which enables creating a common coordinate system in the battlefield, determining the points which provide very precise location information, determining the necessary location and direction angles for the sensors and systems, determining the location and direction angles of the weapons system or specialized mission tools, and directing them essentially comprises; at least one sensitive plate (2),

at least one optical system (7) which enables aiming to the target,

- at least one fine tuning mechanism (8) which enables the sensitive plate (2) to be moved in vertical and horizontal axes,

at least one distance meter (9) which enables measuring of the distance to the target,

at least one GPS antenna (10) which enables the signals that are sent by the GPS satellites to be received,

at least one inertial navigation system (11) which enables the calculation of the location, direction angle and the angle with respect to the earth plane, at least one control unit (12) that is adapted to run the surveying algorithms using the information coming from the distance meter (9) and the inertial navigation system (11).

In the preferred embodiment of the inventive surveying device (1), the sensitive plate (2) of the device is connected to the two arms (4) which are present in the sides of the base (3), and which extend in vertical direction.

The movement of the surveying device (1) in the vertical direction is achieved by rotationally moving around an imaginary axis that is connecting the points where the arms (4) and the sensitive plate (2) are connected. The movement of the surveying device (1) in the horizontal direction is achieved by rotationally moving around the axis of the shaft.

In order to move the system delicately in the vertical and horizontal direction, the fine tuning mechanism (8) that is present on the base (3) and the side arms (4) is used. On the top part on the arms (4) one handle (5) apiece are present, and by this, it is achieved that the surveying device (1) is carried in an easy manner.

In the bottom surface of the base (3), to which the arms (4) are attached, connection interface detail (6) and shaft (14) are present. The said connection interface detail (6) and shaft (14) are used for mounting the base (3) of the surveying device (1) to the mounting interface (15). The mounting interface (15), in turn, enables the surveying device (1) to be placed on various platforms and/or vehicles.

In order to aim to the target, an optical system (7) is present on the sensitive plate (2). With the said optical system (7), the distance between the aimed target and the surveying device (1) is measured via a distance meter (9). In one embodiment of the invention, the said distance meter (9) is a laser distance meter (9) which has a precision of lm (meter) and a range of 20km (kilometers). In another embodiment of the invention, the distance meter (9) is an electronic distance meter which has a precision of 1cm (centimeter) and a range of 5km (kilometers).

By the virtue of the GPS antenna (10) and the inertial navigation system (1 1) that are present on the sensitive plate (2), the location (coordinates) of where the surveying device (1) is, its direction angle and its angles with respect to the earth plane are very precisely calculated. As for the information coming from the inertial navigation system (1 1) and distance meter (9), they are processed by the control unit (12), and the coordinates of the targeted point and the direction angle of the line that is being looked at can be calculated. The said control unit (12) can be embedded to the surveying device in one embodiment of the invention. In another embodiment of the invention, the control unit (12) can be used separately from the surveying device, in a portable manner. The electrical energy that is needed for the control unit (12), inertial navigation system (1 1) and the distance meter (9) that are used in the surveying device (1) to operate, is supplied by a power supply (13). The said power supply (13) can be a battery block that can be recharged by being connected to a mains supply, in one embodiment of the invention. The working principle of the invention is explained in detail below.

In the preferred embodiment of the inventive surveying device (1), a target is aimed at by the user, preferably via the optical system (7) that is located on the top part of the sensitive plate (2). During this aiming operation, in order to move the system delicately in the vertical and horizontal direction, the fine tuning mechanism (8) that is present on the base (3) and the side arms (4) is used.

In order to calculate the coordinates of the target that is being aimed, and the direction angle of the line that is being looked at, it is sufficient to push a button that is present on the control unit (12). When the said button is pushed, the distance information that is coming from the distance meter (9), and the location and angle information that are coming from the inertial navigation system (1 1) is processed in the control unit (12), and the coordinates of the point that is being aimed at, and the direction angle of the line that is being looked at are automatically calculated, and immediately shown to the user at the control unit (12).

In an embodiment of the invention, the calculated coordinates and the direction angle of the line that is being looked at are transmitted to the weapons systems or to the specialized mission tools, and thus directing of these tools to the target can be achieved.

In the surveying device (1), the inertial navigation system (11), optical system (7) and the distance meter (9) are unified on top of the sensitive plate (2) and they are enabled to work in an integrated manner, and by this virtue, the need for using theodolites in the classical surveying systems, and thus the need for bringing the theodolites parallel to the ground is eliminated. By this virtue, the measurement speed is improved significantly. By this, the time for completing the measurements at the point (getting off the vehicle, opening the rear doors, setting up on the tripod, aiming at the target point, making the measurement by pushing a single button), at which the measurements are to be made, can be less than two minutes.

When the GPS unit of the surveying device is jammed by an external interference, it can continue carrying out its duties by stopping for a minute every one hour, by the virtue of the "odometer" support which gives information about with which speed and how far it is being travelled.

The inventive surveying device (1) also comprises the features of a conventional navigation device. By this way, by the virtue of the control unit (12) that is present on the surveying device (1), by using the maps that are loaded in its memory route planning can be made during navigation, and information such as the direction to go, route information, estimated time of arrival and remaining distance can be shown to the driver of the vehicle, on the control unit (12).

Claims

The surveying device (1) which enables creating a common coordinate system in the battlefield, determining the points which provide very precise location information, determining the necessary location and direction angles for the sensors and systems, determining the location and direction angles of the weapons system or specialized mission tools essentially comprising;

at least one sensitive plate (2),

at least one optical system (7) which enables aiming to the target,

and characterized by

at least one inertial navigation system (1 1) which enables the calculation of the location, direction angle and the angle with respect to the earth plane, at least one control unit (12) that is adapted to run the surveying algorithms using the information coming from the distance meter (9) and the inertial navigation system (1 1).

A surveying device (1) as in Claim 1 characterized by at least one base (3) that is present at the down part of the sensitive plate (2).

A surveying device (1) as in Claim 2 characterized by at least two arms (4) which are present at the sides of the base (3), which extend in the vertical direction, and to which the sensitive plate (2) is connected.

A surveying device (1) as in Claim 3 characterized by at least one handle (5) that is present at the top part of the arms (4), and which enables the sensitive plate (2) to be carried.

5. A surveying device (1) as in Claim 2 characterized by at least one fine tuning mechanism (8) which enables the sensitive plate (2) that is present over the base (3) and the side arms (4) to be moved in vertical and horizontal axes.

6. A surveying device (1) as in Claim 1 characterized by at least one mounting interface (15) which enable the device to be located on various platforms and/or vehicles.

7. A surveying device (1) as in Claim 6 characterized by at least one connection interface detail (6) and shaft (14) which are present at the base (3) and which enables the base (3) to be mounted to the mounting interface (15).

8. A surveying device (1) as in Claim 1 characterized by at least one power supply (13) which supplies the electrical energy that is needed for the control unit (12), inertial navigation system (11) and/or the distance meter (9) to operate.

9. A surveying device (1) as in Claim 8 characterized by the power supply (13) which is a battery block that can be recharged by being connected to the mains supply.

10. A surveying device (1) as in Claim 1 characterized by the control unit (12) which is adapted to calculate the coordinates of the point that is being targeted, and the direction angle of the line that is being looked at.

11. A surveying device (1) as in Claim 1 characterized by the control unit (12) which is adapted to transfer the coordinates, and the direction angle of the line that is being looked at, which it calculated, to the specialized mission tools.

12. A surveying device (1) as in Claim 1 characterized by the control unit (12) which is adapted to make route planning during navigation, and calculate the direction to go, route information, estimated time of arrival and remaining distance information, using the maps that are loaded in its memory.