Boresighting a Gaussian beam on a specular target point: a method using conical scan.

A method of autoboresighting a Gaussian beam on a specular target point is presented. Closed form analysis of a staring detector output shows that the nutation frequency fundamental component in the output can be used to drive the spatial position of the nutation center to converge and lock on a target specular point. The conical scan boresighter is a combination of a reference point tracker and a beam steerer relative to the track point. The reference point must be in the field of view of the detector. The precision of tracking and hence of boresighting depends on the precision and stability of the reference point relative to the desired point on target.