Integrated system of collimated laser launching, sighting and tracking correction

Abstract

The application is suitable for the field of photoelectric countermeasure, and discloses a common-aperture laser emission, aiming, tracking and correction integrated system, which comprises an imaging unit, a laser, a laser and imaging beam splitting unit, a common-aperture tracking and emission unit, a monitoring and correction unit, an imaging and laser timing control unit and a control center in communication with the imaging and laser timing control unit, the imaging unit and the laser are physically fitted through the laser and imaging beam splitting unit, the emission laser pointing of the laser is calibrated through the cooperation of the monitoring and correction unit, the imaging unit, the laser and the laser and imaging beam splitting unit before each laser emission, and the actual angular deviation of the laser pointing and the imaging central axis under different angles is solved in real time through the control center based on the laser pointing extracted by the imaging unit, so that the logical consistency of tracking and laser emission pointing can be realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of optoelectronic countermeasures technology, and in particular to an integrated system for common-aperture laser emission aiming and tracking correction. Background Technology

[0002] The general characteristics of an optoelectronic countermeasures system are: first, it uses a tracking system to locate, identify, and track the target; then, it guides a laser to irradiate the target, achieving laser-induced damage. Laser damage is divided into interference damage with a large divergence angle, blinding damage with a small divergence angle, and focused destruction damage. Traditional non-common-aperture technologies have very large laser guidance deviations, making them unsuitable for the latter two types of laser-induced damage. Traditional common-aperture technologies mainly achieve consistency between system tracking and laser pointing through assembly and adjustment. This method has no means of correcting for laser pointing deviations caused by environmental changes, while blinding and destruction damage require precision at the micro-radian level. Therefore, once the laser pointing deviates, precise countermeasures cannot be achieved. Monitoring the laser pointing mainly uses a same-band imaging system. Traditional methods of adding an imaging system to achieve this purpose would greatly increase the system's cost, size, and weight, which is unacceptable for the requirements of current optoelectronic countermeasures systems. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The first objective of this invention is to provide an integrated system for aiming, tracking and correcting common-aperture laser emission, which aims to solve the technical problem.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the solution provided by the present invention is as follows:

[0005] A common-aperture laser emission aiming and tracking correction integrated system includes an imaging unit, a laser, a laser and imaging beam splitting unit, a common-aperture tracking and emission unit, a monitoring and correction unit, an imaging and laser timing control unit, and a control center communicating with the imaging and laser timing control unit. One of the imaging unit and the laser is positioned on the reflected light path of the laser and imaging beam splitting unit, and the other is positioned on the transmitted light path of the laser and imaging beam splitting unit. The imaging unit includes a detector module and an image bias correction and tracking module communicating with the control center. The image bias correction and tracking module is used to control the detector. The tracking center of the module is offset by a preset angle to guide the laser to emit laser light in a new direction. The monitoring and correction unit includes a reflective component for reflecting the laser light along its original path and a driving component for driving the reflective component to cut into and out of the laser and imaging beam splitting unit and the common aperture tracking emission unit. The imaging and laser timing control unit is used to control the emission time of the laser light and the integration time of the imaging unit. The control center is used to calculate in real time the actual angular deviation between the laser direction and the imaging center axis at different angles extracted by the detector module and feed it back to the image offset correction tracking module.

[0006] Preferably, when the integrated common-aperture laser emission aiming and tracking correction system is in normal working condition, the imaging and laser timing control unit controls the emission time of the laser to be effectively misaligned with the integration time of the imaging unit. The target signal light is transmitted through the common-aperture tracking emission unit to the laser and imaging beam splitting unit, and then through the laser and imaging beam splitting unit to the detector module to achieve target aiming and tracking. Furthermore, the laser emits a laser beam, which is transmitted through the laser and imaging beam splitting unit to the common-aperture tracking emission unit, and then emitted from the common-aperture tracking emission unit to the target to achieve target engagement.

[0007] Preferably, when the integrated system for aiming and tracking correction of the common-aperture laser emission is in monitoring and correction mode, the driving component drives the reflecting component to cut between the laser and imaging beam splitting unit and the common-aperture tracking emission unit so that the reflecting component is completely covered by the laser. The imaging and laser timing control unit controls the laser emission time to effectively overlap with the integration time of the imaging unit. The reflecting component reflects the laser to the detector module. The control center calculates in real time the actual angular deviation between the laser direction and the imaging center axis at different angles extracted by the detector module and feeds it back to the image offset correction and tracking module. The image offset correction and tracking module controls the tracking center of the detector module to be offset by a preset angle to guide the laser to emit laser in a new direction.

[0008] Preferably, the imaging unit is disposed in the reflected light path of the laser and imaging beam splitting unit, and the laser is disposed in the transmitted light path of the laser and imaging beam splitting unit.

[0009] Preferably, the integrated system for aiming and tracking correction of common-aperture laser emission further includes a laser attenuator, which is disposed between the laser and imaging beam splitting unit and the common-aperture tracking and emission unit or between the laser and imaging beam splitting unit and the detector.

[0010] Preferably, the common-aperture laser emission aiming and tracking correction integrated system further includes a laser light guide component, which is disposed between the laser and the laser and imaging beam splitting unit.

[0011] The integrated common-aperture laser emission aiming and tracking correction system provided by this invention has the following advantages:

[0012] First, the laser emitted by the imaging unit and the laser is physically fitted with the same aperture through the laser and imaging beam splitting unit. The same aperture is achieved from the laser and imaging beam splitting unit all the way to the target position, which satisfies the common aperture optical characteristics of "tracking, aiming and striking" in one.

[0013] Secondly, before each laser emission, the monitoring and correction unit, in conjunction with the imaging unit, the laser, and the laser-imaging beam splitting unit, calibrates the laser's emission direction. The control center then calculates in real-time the actual angular deviation between the laser direction extracted by the imaging unit and the imaging center axis at different angles, achieving logical consistency between tracking and the laser emission direction. This approach, without increasing hardware costs, utilizes the original system's imaging hardware to correct the optical system through software control, meeting the system's requirements for high precision, high stability, and high environmental adaptability. Attached Figure Description

[0014] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the integrated system for common-aperture laser emission aiming and tracking correction provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The system is in normal working condition at this time.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the monitoring and correction unit provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the working timing of the system under working and monitoring states provided in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0018] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0019] 10. Imaging unit; 11. Detector module; 20. Laser; 30. Laser beam guide component; 40. Laser and imaging beam splitting unit; 50. Monitoring and correction unit; 51. Reflection component; 52. Driving component; 60. Laser attenuator; 70. Common aperture tracking emission unit. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] It should be noted that all directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in the embodiments of the present invention are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0022] It should also be noted that when a component is described as "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on the other component or there may be an intervening component present. When a component is described as "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be an intervening component present.

[0023] Furthermore, the use of terms such as "first" and "second" in this invention is for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. Additionally, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but only on the basis of being achievable by those skilled in the art. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, such a combination of technical solutions should be considered non-existent and not within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

[0024] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this is an embodiment of the common-aperture laser emission aiming and tracking correction integrated system of the present invention. Due to the constant presence of unavoidable external disturbances such as rapid temperature changes caused by environmental variations, vibration, shock, and structural stress release, conventional common-aperture laser and imaging systems can only achieve common-aperture coverage within a certain angular range. In applications involving laser blinding and destruction, such angular variations are fatal. Furthermore, even when using a Kuder optical path guide, angular deviations in the common-aperture coverage also exist under different angular conditions. Calibrating the laser's emission direction before each laser emission ensures logical consistency between tracking and laser emission direction.

[0025] Please see Figures 1-3The common-aperture laser emission aiming and tracking correction integrated system of this invention includes an imaging unit 10, a laser 20, a laser and imaging beam splitting unit 40, a common-aperture tracking emission unit 70, a monitoring and correction unit 50, an imaging and laser timing control unit (not shown), and a control center (not shown) communicating with the imaging and laser timing control unit. One of the imaging unit 10 and the laser 20 is disposed in the reflected light path of the laser and imaging beam splitting unit 40, and the other is disposed in the transmitted light path of the laser and imaging beam splitting unit 40. The imaging unit 10 includes a detector module 11 and an image bias correction and tracking module (not shown) communicating with the control center. The image offset correction tracking module is used to control the tracking center offset of the detector module 11 by a preset angle to guide the laser 20 to emit laser in a new direction. The monitoring correction unit 50 includes a reflective component 51 for reflecting the laser along its original path and a driving component 52 for driving the reflective component 51 to cut into and out of the laser and imaging beam splitting unit 40 and the common aperture tracking emission unit 70. The imaging and laser timing control unit is used to control the emission time of the laser 20 and the integration time of the imaging unit 10. The control center is used to calculate in real time the actual angular deviation between the laser direction and the imaging center axis at different angles extracted by the detector module 11 and feed it back to the image offset correction tracking module.

[0026] When the common-aperture laser emission aiming and tracking correction integrated system is in normal working condition, the imaging and laser timing control unit controls the emission time of the laser 20 to be effectively misaligned with the integration time of the imaging unit 10. The target signal light is transmitted to the laser and imaging beam splitting unit 40 through the common-aperture tracking emission unit 70, and then to the detector module 11 of the imaging unit 10 through the laser and imaging beam splitting unit 40 to achieve target aiming and tracking. The laser 20 emits laser light, which is transmitted to the common-aperture tracking emission unit 70 through the laser and imaging beam splitting unit 40, and then emitted from the common-aperture tracking emission unit 70 to the target to achieve target strike.

[0027] When the integrated system for aiming, tracking and correcting common-aperture laser emission is in monitoring and correction mode, the driving component 52 drives the reflecting component 51 to engage between the laser and imaging beam splitting unit 40 and the common-aperture tracking emission unit 70 so that the reflecting component 51 is completely covered by the laser. The imaging and laser timing control unit controls the emission time of the laser 20 to effectively overlap with the integration time of the imaging unit 10. The reflecting component 51 reflects the laser to the detector module 11 of the imaging unit 10. The control center calculates in real time the actual angular deviation between the laser direction and the imaging center axis at different angles extracted by the detector module 11 and feeds it back to the image offset correction and tracking module. The image offset correction and tracking module controls the tracking center of the detector module 11 to be offset by a preset angle to guide the laser 20 to emit laser in a new direction. This high-precision guidance of the laser direction is achieved by using a bias-following-direction method, thus realizing high-precision optoelectronic countermeasures.

[0028] Please see Figure 3 The imaging and laser timing control unit controls the emission time of laser 20 to be effectively staggered with the integration time of imaging unit 10 in order to ensure that lasers of the same wavelength do not cause stray light interference during imaging, thus achieving effective detection and reception of passive radiation from the target. Specifically, this means strictly controlling the timing so that the rising edge of imaging unit 10 is after the falling edge of laser emission, while the falling edge of imaging unit 10 is before the rising edge of laser emission. This ensures that no laser is emitted during the imaging process of each frame of the tracking imaging system.

[0029] The imaging and laser timing control unit ensures that the emission time of the laser 20 effectively overlaps with the integration time of the imaging unit 10 to allow for effective determination of the laser direction and suppress passive radiation from the target. Specifically, this means that the rising edge of the imaging integration of the imaging unit 10 is strictly controlled to precede the falling edge of the laser emission, while the falling edge of the imaging integration of the imaging unit 10 is followed by the rising edge of the laser emission. This ensures that laser emission occurs in every frame of the imaging unit 10 during the imaging process.

[0030] Understandably, when the common aperture laser emission aiming and tracking correction integrated system is in normal working condition, the driving component 52 drives the reflecting component 51 to cut out between the laser and imaging beam splitting unit 40 and the common aperture tracking emission unit 70, ensuring that the structural components do not block the light of the imaging unit 10 and the laser 20.

[0031] The common-aperture laser emission aiming and tracking correction integrated system of the present invention has the following advantages:

[0032] First, the laser emitted by the imaging unit 10 and the laser 20 is physically fitted with the laser and the imaging beam splitting unit 40 to achieve the same aperture, thus satisfying the common aperture optical characteristics of "tracking, aiming and striking" in one.

[0033] Secondly, before each laser emission, the monitoring and correction unit 50, in conjunction with the imaging unit 10, laser 20, and laser and imaging beam splitting unit 40, calibrates the laser emission direction of laser 20. The control center then calculates in real-time the actual angular deviation between the laser direction extracted by the imaging unit 10 and the imaging center axis at different angles, achieving logical consistency between tracking and laser emission direction. This working method, without increasing hardware costs, utilizes the original system's imaging hardware to correct the optical system through software control, meeting the system's requirements for high precision, high stability, and high environmental adaptability.

[0034] In this embodiment, the imaging unit 10 is disposed on the reflected light path of the laser and imaging beam splitting unit 40, and the laser 20 is disposed on the transmitted light path of the laser and imaging beam splitting unit 40.

[0035] In other embodiments, the laser 20 is disposed in the reflected light path of the laser and imaging beam splitting unit 40, and the imaging unit 10 is disposed in the transmitted light path of the laser and imaging beam splitting unit 40.

[0036] Please see Figure 1 The imaging unit 10 is a long focal length, high single-pixel resolution optical system. The system uses an electromagnetic spectrum band that overlaps with the laser 20 in all or part, such as a visible light imaging system, a near-infrared imaging system, a mid-wave infrared imaging system, a long-wave infrared imaging system, etc.

[0037] Preferably, the combination of imaging unit 10 and laser and imaging beam splitting unit 40 is achieved by small-angle transmission and reflection. The target optical signal enters the optical path of imaging unit 10 through transmission or reflection of laser and imaging beam splitting unit 40, thereby achieving target capture and tracking.

[0038] Furthermore, the combination of the laser emitted by the laser 20 and the imaging beam splitting unit 40 is achieved by a small-angle transmission and reflection method. The laser enters the common aperture tracking emission unit 70 through the reflection or transmission of the laser and the imaging beam splitting unit 40, so as to realize the laser irradiation of the target.

[0039] Preferably, the imaging unit 10 is coated with a film system that enhances the light transmission of a specific wavelength band, the laser and imaging beam splitting unit 40 is coated with a film system that provides high reflectivity for a specific wavelength band to meet the priority requirement of high-energy laser output, and the monitoring and correction unit 50 is coated with a film system that provides high reflectivity for a specific wavelength band to reduce laser energy and prevent damage to the detector module 11 of the imaging unit 10.

[0040] Please see Figure 2 The reflective component 51 can be an optical device such as a parallel light cone to meet the high-precision resolution requirements for small deviations in laser pointing.

[0041] The drive component 52 can be a drive motor, and the drive method is simple and reliable.

[0042] Please see Figure 1 The integrated system for aiming and tracking correction of common-aperture laser emission also includes a laser attenuator 60. In this embodiment, the laser attenuator 60 is disposed between the laser and imaging beam splitting unit 40 and the common-aperture tracking emission unit 70. Due to the high-energy characteristics of the laser, the laser attenuator 60 is used to attenuate the reflected laser, enabling the imaging unit 10 to effectively extract the image. When the system is in monitoring and correction mode, the driving component 52 drives the reflecting component 51 to engage between the laser attenuator 60 and the common-aperture tracking emission unit 70.

[0043] Understandably, the laser attenuator 60 can also be placed between the laser and imaging beam splitting unit 40 and the detector 11 of the imaging unit 10, which can also achieve the purpose of attenuating the reflected laser.

[0044] Optionally, the laser attenuator 60 is coated with a film system that is highly reflective to a specific wavelength band to reduce laser energy and prevent damage to the detector module 11 of the imaging unit 10.

[0045] Please see Figure 1 The common aperture laser emission aiming and tracking correction integrated system also includes a laser light guide component 30, which is disposed between the laser 20 and the laser and imaging beam splitting unit 40, and can balance the laser energy emitted by the laser 20.

[0046] Optionally, the laser light guide component 30 is a light guide plate.

[0047] Furthermore, the laser light guide component 30 is coated with a film system that is highly reflective to specific laser wavelengths to meet the priority requirement of high-energy laser output.

[0048] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural transformations made using the contents of the present invention's specification and drawings under the inventive concept of the present invention, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A common-aperture laser emission aiming and tracking correction integrated system, characterized in that, The system includes an imaging unit, a laser, a laser and imaging beam splitting unit, a common-aperture tracking and emission unit, a monitoring and correction unit, an imaging and laser timing control unit, and a control center communicating with the imaging and laser timing control unit. The imaging unit is positioned on the reflected light path of the laser and imaging beam splitting unit, and the laser is positioned on the transmitted light path of the laser and imaging beam splitting unit. The imaging unit includes a detector module and an image offset correction and tracking module communicating with the control center. The image offset correction and tracking module controls the tracking center offset of the detector module by a preset angle to guide the laser to emit laser light in a new direction. The monitoring and correction unit includes a reflective component for reflecting the laser light along its original path and a driving component for driving the reflective component to enter and exit the space between the laser and imaging beam splitting unit and the common-aperture tracking and emission unit. The imaging and laser timing control unit controls the emission time of the laser and the integration time of the imaging unit. The control center calculates in real time the actual angular deviation between the laser direction and the imaging center axis at different angles based on the laser direction extracted by the detector module and feeds it back to the image offset correction and tracking module. When the integrated system for aiming and tracking correction of the common-aperture laser emission is in monitoring and correction mode, the driving component drives the reflecting component to cut between the laser and imaging beam splitting unit and the common-aperture tracking emission unit so that the reflecting component is completely covered by the laser. The imaging and laser timing control unit controls the laser emission time to effectively overlap with the integration time of the imaging unit. The reflecting component reflects the laser to the detector module. The control center calculates in real time the actual angular deviation between the laser direction and the imaging center axis at different angles extracted by the detector module and feeds it back to the image offset correction and tracking module. The image offset correction and tracking module controls the tracking center of the detector module to be offset by a preset angle to guide the laser to emit laser in a new direction.

2. The integrated system for common-aperture laser emission aiming and tracking correction as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the integrated common-aperture laser emission aiming and tracking correction system is in normal working condition, the imaging and laser timing control unit controls the emission time of the laser to be effectively misaligned with the integration time of the imaging unit. The target signal light is transmitted through the common-aperture tracking emission unit to the laser and imaging beam splitting unit, and then through the laser and imaging beam splitting unit to the detector module to achieve target aiming and tracking. In addition, the laser emits laser light, which is transmitted through the laser and imaging beam splitting unit to the common-aperture tracking emission unit, and then emitted from the common-aperture tracking emission unit to the target to achieve target engagement.

3. The integrated system for common-aperture laser emission aiming and tracking correction as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The integrated system for aiming and tracking correction of common-aperture laser emission also includes a laser attenuator, which is provided between the laser and imaging beam splitting unit and the common-aperture tracking and emission unit or between the laser and imaging beam splitting unit and the detector module.

4. The integrated system for common-aperture laser emission aiming and tracking correction as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The integrated system for common-aperture laser emission aiming and tracking correction also includes a laser beam guide component, which is disposed between the laser and the laser and imaging beam splitting unit.

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