Target location designation apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus and method are disclosed for guiding a payload to a target location. The apparatus comprises a laser radiation source, a laser radiation reflecting arrangement for generating substantially spatially homogeneous reflected laser radiation, an activator for activating the radiation source to generate laser radiation and an electrical power source for powering the apparatus.

1 . Target location designation apparatus for guiding a payload to a target location, the apparatus comprising:
 a laser radiation source;   a laser radiation reflecting arrangement for generating substantially spatially homogeneous reflected laser radiation;   an electrical power supply for powering the laser radiation source; and   an activator for electrically coupling the power supply with the laser radiation source to activate the laser radiation source.   
     
     
         2 . Target location designation apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the activator comprises a receiver which is arranged to receive a trigger signal for activating the laser radiation source. 
     
     
         3 . Target location designation apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the activator comprises a timer, which is arranged to activate the laser radiation source at a predetermined time, or following a pre-determined time delay. 
     
     
         4 . Target location designation apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the electrical power source comprises a battery. 
     
     
         5 . Target location designation apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrical power source comprises a solar panel. 
     
     
         6 . Target location designation apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the laser radiation reflecting arrangement is arranged to simulate laser radiation which is reflected off objects. 
     
     
         7 . Target location designation apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the laser radiation reflecting arrangement comprises a grating. 
     
     
         8 . Target location designation apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the reflecting arrangement comprises a laser radiation dispersion element for simulating reflected laser radiation. 
     
     
         9 . Target location designation apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the laser radiation source is configured to generate laser pulses. 
     
     
         10 . Target location designation apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the laser radiation source is configured to generate continuous laser radiation. 
     
     
         11 . Target location designation apparatus according to  claim 1  comprising a plurality of separate laser radiation sources. 
     
     
         12 . A method of guiding a payload to a target location, the method comprising:
 locating a target location designation apparatus according to  claim 1  at the target location, and   activating the apparatus to cause substantially spatially homogeneous reflected laser radiation to be generated for guiding the payload to the target location.   
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 12 , comprising activating the laser radiation source at a pre-determined time or following a pre-determined time delay, using a timer. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13 , comprising activating the laser radiation source using a trigger signal from a transmitter remotely located to the apparatus. 
     
     
         15 . A target location designation apparatus for guiding a payload to a target location, the apparatus comprising:
 a laser radiation source;   laser radiation reflecting arrangement including at least one of a grating and dispersive element, and arranged to reflect laser radiation incident thereon from the laser radiation source to create reflected laser radiation that emits from the apparatus;   an electrical power supply including one or more batteries for powering the apparatus; and   an activator for activating the laser radiation source, the activator including at least one of:
 an electronic receiver arranged to receive a wireless trigger signal for activating the laser radiation source; and 
 a timer circuit arranged to activate the laser radiation source at a predetermined time, or following a pre-determined time delay. 
   
     
     
         16 . The target location designation apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the electrical power source further comprises a solar panel. 
     
     
         17 . The target location designation apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the laser radiation source is configured to generate laser pulses. 
     
     
         18 . The target location designation apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the laser radiation source is configured to generate continuous laser radiation. 
     
     
         19 . The target location designation apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the reflected laser radiation that emits from the apparatus is substantially spatially homogenous reflected laser radiation. 
     
     
         20 . A method of guiding a payload to a target location using the target location designation apparatus of  claim 15 , the method comprising:
 remotely activating the apparatus, the apparatus being located at the target location, thereby causing the apparatus to generate reflected laser radiation at the target location; and   guiding the payload to the target location using the reflected laser radiation.