Abstract:
A pair of relatively movable objects are aligned to each other in a predetermined relationship by matching images of fixed reticles on the objects to a rotating reticle by convolution of the fixed reticle images with the rotating reticle and generating analog image displacement signals representing the relative positions of the objects for closed loop control of the relative positions of the objects. The energy generated by the convolution of the objects is transduced by radiometric detectors to electrical signals having characteristic frequencies defining the relative positions of the objects. The characteristic frequencies are generated by a frequency phase lock control which provides interrogation of the objects by the reticle scan, the rotating reticle operating as a relative spatial reference which is phaselocked to a fixed frequency generated by a stable oscillator. Doppler frequencies corresponding to image velocities are digitally detected by doppler comparators and converted to doppler phase shift signals corresponding to the relative displacements of the objects. The digital doppler phase shift signals and digital signals corresponding to a desired offset between the objects are accumulated in a tracking register. The accumulated digital signals are converted to analog signals for closed loop control of the relative positions of the objects with respect to each other.