The IMAGO ATOL Tracking system provides 3D position information for an approaching UAV. This data can be transmitted to the UAV’s Ground Control Station to close the control loop, enabling autonomous landing.
The IMAGO ATOL is a mobile, man-portable, real-time automatic tracking and trajectory system built around an advanced pan/tilt. It consists of a pan/tilt, heavy-duty tripod, automatic video target tracking software, pan/tilt control software, operator interface, eye-safe laser rangefinder and High Resolution Video camera.
IMAGO’s ATOL tracking system is self-contained. Output from the tracking head is linked to an intermediate computer that provides optional manual override and forwards data to the GCS.
It has the following advantages over other ATOL systems:
- Lightweight and compact.
- Video tracking provides a clear image of the aircraft.
- Computer-controlled lens aperture and focus.
- High-resolution progressive scan camera with effective zoom, reducing the camera count to one when tracking to 5 km.
- A second camera can be added to extend tracking range to 9.9 km.
- A laser rangefinder capable of measuring slant range at up to 200 Hz; IMAGO limits this to approximately 60 Hz to synchronise with the optical cameras.