Estimation of the measurement error of coordinates of a tracking object in the atmosphere under joint effect of thermal blooming and turbulence

Abstract

Modern laser tracking systems use digital video cameras for imaging the tracked objects in atmosphere. Using images from camera for measurement lead to a measurement error of object coordinates and all other related parameters due to atmospheric turbulence and thermal blooming of laser beam which track the object. In our investigation the turbulent and thermal blooming features of object coordinates measurement error are considered. The estimations in the conditions of mutual action of distorting atmospheric effects mentioned above are generated. The calculation of error using our estimations in most cases became two orders faster. Modeling is performed for the case of strong turbulent fluctuations as well as for the case of weak turbulence.