Patent ID: 6297763
Filing Date: 2001-10-02
Classification: G01S

Abstract:
Method of optimizing a coverage area of a sensor, within an area that contains a number of part areas, the sensor having an angle-dependent range in at least one plane and being arranged on a mobile sensor platform, the method comprising the following steps:determining at least two movement directions for the sensor platform such that the angle between the sensor and the at least one plane is substantially constant as the sensor platform travels along each of the at least two movement directions;determining a center of movement for said two movement directions;determining periods of time for moving the sensor platform in each of said two movement directions, wherein the movement directions, the center of movement and the periods of time are determined so that the sum of the differences between the desired range and the achieved range in azimuth of the sensor is minimized; andadapting the coverage area of the sensor to a given search area.