Compact fixed-source array test station for calibration of a semi-active laser (SAL) seeker

Abstract

A fixed-source array test station provides a compact cost-effective high-throughput test bed for testing optical sensors that require stimulus at fixed angular positions. An array of fixed collimated sources at different angular positions in the sensor's FOV are positioned on a surface of a focal sphere at the effective focal length of a spherical lens and aligned along respective radial lines to the center of the spherical lens so that each said divergent optical beam is collimated by the spherical lens to form a collimated optical beam that overlaps the entire entrance pupil of the optical seeker. The sources are activated in accordance with an activation profile in order to calibrate or otherwise test the sensor.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 120 as a continuation-in-part application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 947,234 entitled “Fixed-Source Array Test Station for Calibration of a Semi-Active Laser (SAL) Seeker” filed on Nov. 16, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]This invention relates to guided projectiles that engage targets by detecting and following laser light scattered from the targets, and more particularly to a test station for calibration of the spatial transfer function (STF) of the semi-active laser (SAL) seeker and other testing, as well as testing other electro-optic (EO) sensors.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Laser guided ordinance is commonly used to engage point targets with a high probability of success and minimal collateral damage. Such ordinance includes guided artiller...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a device that uses multiple optical sources to create pulsed optical beams. These beams are then collected and focused onto the entrance pupil of a seeker using a spherical lens. The lens acts like a collimator, producing a single beam that spans the seeker's entire field of view. This setup reduces the size of the testing station, making it more portable and efficient. The technical effect is a more uniform and accurate optical beam testing process.

Problems solved by technology

This test station and methodology is both expensive and slow.

Currently, the total cost of a test station is a few to several hundred thousand dollars for the Q-switched laser and focusing optics, the collimator and the 3-axis stage.

The cost is driven by the required angular resolution of both the source and rotation of the stage.

In a manufacturing environment that must calibrate thousands of seekers the time requirement is burdensome and expensive.

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