Laser semi-active and long-wave infrared imaging composite simulator

Abstract

The invention discloses a laser semi-active and long-wave infrared imaging composite simulator, which is suitable for generating a laser semi-active echo simulation signal, a long-wave infrared dynamic target background and other composite optical environments in a weapon system semi-physical simulation test, and is driven by a simulation control system in real time. Simulation of laser echo energy changes and long-wave dynamic targets and scenes under different distances, different time periods and different working conditions in the missile-target approaching process is achieved, and the system is mainly used for being matched with other systems to achieve the functions of laser semi-active and long-wave infrared imaging, composite guidance detector semi-physical simulation tests, anti-interference performance evaluation and the like. The simulator is mainly composed of a laser target simulation channel, a long-wave infrared scene simulation channel, a common-caliber coupler and the like. A laser target is output through the laser target simulation channel, and a long-wave infrared image is output through the long-wave infrared simulator and finally enters the detector after passing through the coupling device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of hardware-in-the-loop simulation technology, specifically relating to a laser semi-active and long-wave infrared imaging composite simulator. Background Technology

[0002] Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation systems are primarily used for full-trajectory HIL simulation tests of guided weapons. Through HIL simulation systems, tasks such as guidance control loop verification and analysis, guidance law optimization design and analysis, overall missile accuracy and probability of hit, anti-jamming capability analysis, and flight test fault analysis can be completed. HIL simulation systems are crucial for evaluating the main tactical and technical indicators (such as miss distance, probability of hit, and anti-jamming capability) of guidance control systems and weapon systems in the laboratory, assessing their performance under boundary conditions, and conducting flight test predictions and flight fault reproduction. They are an indispensable testing and verification component throughout the entire lifecycle of weapon system development (demonstration, design, development, finalization, and acceptance). HIL simulation tests can effectively reduce the frequency of field firing tests, improve the efficiency and quality of field firing tests, significantly save development costs, and shorten the development cycle.

[0003] In simulation experiments, weapon systems with different guidance systems employ different simulation modes. The main difference lies in the way the detector acquires target information. For example, laser-guided detectors require a diffuse laser reflection target source in a laser anechoic chamber; image-guided detectors require an infrared or television target simulator to provide the necessary image information; and millimeter-wave guided detectors require a radio frequency target source in a millimeter-wave anechoic chamber, and so on. As detector performance continues to improve, the corresponding simulator design also needs to be updated, especially the demand for composite simulators invented for composite guided detectors is increasing. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a composite simulator for laser semi-active and long-wave infrared imaging. It is suitable for generating composite optical environments such as laser semi-active echo simulation signals and long-wave infrared dynamic target backgrounds in weapon system hardware-in-the-loop simulation experiments. The simulator is driven in real-time by a simulation control system, simulating laser echo energy changes and long-wave dynamic targets and scenes under different distances, time periods, and operating conditions during the approach of a projectile and target. It is mainly used in conjunction with other systems to achieve semi-active laser imaging, long-wave infrared imaging, and hardware-in-the-loop simulation experiments and anti-interference performance evaluations of composite guidance detectors. The simulator mainly consists of a laser target simulation channel, a long-wave infrared scene simulation channel, and a common-aperture coupler. The laser target is output through the laser target simulation channel, the long-wave infrared image is output through the long-wave infrared simulator, and finally enters the detector after passing through the coupling device. The outstanding advantages of this invention are its use of common-aperture composite technology and lightweight design, resulting in a lightweight simulator, high-precision optical system, simple operation, and ease of use, thus possessing significant potential for widespread application.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its technical problem is as follows:

[0006] A laser semi-active and long-wave infrared imaging composite simulator includes a laser target simulation channel, a long-wave infrared scene simulation channel, and a common-aperture coupler;

[0007] The laser target simulation channel includes a laser, a laser optical system, a laser beam expander system, and a laser target control system; the laser is a 1064nm laser; the laser generates a band signal that matches the operating band of the target and the detector, and projects it onto the laser target control system, and finally collimates and projects the laser radiation signal through the laser beam expander system;

[0008] The long-wave infrared scene simulation channel includes a blackbody light source, a long-wave infrared scene simulation channel optical system, and a long-wave infrared scene simulation channel structural system. Specifically, it uses a blackbody light source for illumination to generate a band signal that matches the working band of the detector and projects it onto the infrared signal modulation unit.

[0009] The common aperture coupler mainly consists of a group of ZnS mirrors and a dichroic mirror. It uses the dichroic mirror to reflect the laser band and transmit the long-wave infrared band.

[0010] Preferably, the simulator contains information from both laser and long-wave infrared operating bands.

[0011] Preferably, the information from the laser and long-wave infrared channels is output to the detector through a common-aperture coupler.

[0012] Preferably, the simulator is mounted on the outer two-axis frame of the five-axis simulation turntable for flight attitude and target simulation, without interfering with the inner three-axis frame, and is adapted to the mechanical environment constraints of the simulation turntable.

[0013] Preferably, the laser target simulation channel is generated by a laser to achieve laser output with segmented adjustable pulse widths from 8ns to 100ns.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0015] The outstanding advantages of this invention are that it adopts common aperture composite technology and lightweight design, resulting in a lightweight simulator, high precision optical system, simple operation, and ease of use, thus having great potential for widespread application. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of the components of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the working principle of the system of this invention;

[0018] Figure 3 This is an overall effect diagram of the invention installed on the two outer axes of a five-axis simulation turntable;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a side view of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0021] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a design method for a laser semi-active and long-wave infrared composite simulator, which can generate composite optical environments such as laser semi-active echo simulation signals and long-wave infrared dynamic target backgrounds for the detector, and ensure that the simulation results are realistic and reliable.

[0022] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention primarily comprises a laser target simulation channel, a long-wave infrared scene simulation channel, and a common-aperture coupler. The laser target simulation channel mainly consists of a laser, a laser optical system, a laser beam expander system, and a laser target control system. Specifically, it uses a 1064nm laser to generate a target signal matching the detector's operating wavelength, projects this signal to the laser signal control unit, and finally collimates and projects the laser radiation signal through the laser beam expander system. The long-wave infrared scene simulation channel mainly consists of a blackbody light source, a long-wave infrared scene simulation channel optical system, and a long-wave infrared scene simulation channel structural system. It uses a blackbody light source for illumination, generates a signal matching the detector's operating wavelength, and projects it to the infrared signal modulation unit. The common-aperture coupler mainly consists of a ZnS mirror group and a dichroic mirror. This invention utilizes the dichroic mirror to reflect the laser wavelength and transmit the long-wave infrared wavelength.

[0023] Example:

[0024] In this invention, aiming to improve the reliability and confidence level of simulation experiments, a design model for a laser semi-active and long-wave infrared imaging composite simulator was established, providing a method and research foundation for simulator development. A co-aperture composite method for laser and infrared signals was proposed to achieve beam combining of the laser semi-active echo simulation signal and the long-wave infrared scene radiation signal, with collimated output through a common aperture. Furthermore, a lightweight structural design was adopted; based on the common aperture structure, a lightweight design concept was introduced to optimize the support structure in the dual-mode composite optical system.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, the laser semi-active and long-wave infrared imaging composite simulator consists of a laser target simulation channel, a long-wave infrared scene simulation channel, and a coupling optical path. The simulator is mounted on a turntable, and its overall effect is shown in the figure below. Figure 3 As shown.

[0026] The working principle diagram of the laser semi-active and long-wave infrared imaging composite simulator is as follows: Figure 2As shown, the laser power supply powers the laser, generating a 1.064μm wavelength laser beam through the laser control circuit and laser drive circuit. The entire laser target simulation channel can provide a laser target beam with variable energy and spot size. The laser control system controls the laser spot size and energy changes, and the optical collimation system can convert the laser beam into parallel light before outputting it, thus providing the detector with realistic laser echo signals at different distances. Similarly, in the long-wave infrared scene simulation channel, the graphics workstation generates a long-wave infrared image. The image is processed by the signal processing circuit, synchronization circuit, and display drive circuit, and then output to the long-wave DMD chip to illuminate the blackbody light source. The blackbody light source illuminates the DMD chip through a TIR prism, and the long-wave infrared image is transmitted to the detector through the collimating projection lens of the long-wave infrared scene simulation channel. The laser semi-active and long-wave infrared imaging composite simulator can achieve scene compositing in both the laser and long-wave infrared bands, forming a shared-aperture dual-band scene simulation. The bands include 1.064 μm and 8–12 μm, covering both the laser and long-wave infrared bands. Therefore, the synthesis part employs an object-side coupled optical path, using a special glass material as the coupling device on the object side, allowing both laser and long-wave infrared light to be projected onto the detector after passing through the coupling device. The entire coupling device consists of a reflector and a dichroic mirror, made of ZnS. The laser target simulation channel reflects the generated image through the reflector into the dichroic mirror, and then into the detector. Similarly, the long-wave infrared scene simulation channel directly incidents the generated image onto the dichroic mirror, and then transmits it into the detector. The images from the laser target simulation channel and the long-wave infrared scene simulation channel are coupled at the dichroic mirror and ultimately reach the detector simultaneously, completing the performance and functional testing of the detector.

[0027] The laser target simulation channel generates laser output with segmented adjustable pulse widths from 8ns to 100ns. The power control module provides pump energy to the laser, while the water-cooling module handles waste heat generated by the optical and electrical modules, ensuring normal laser operation. The long-wave infrared scene simulation channel system receives image source signals via a graphics workstation. Synchronization signals are generated by the product under test (DUT) and input via TTL level signals. The image source and synchronization signals enter the input matching circuit, where a standard frame synchronization circuit is used to encode the image signal. After decoding, an image normalization circuit generates a normalized format suitable for the DMD chip. The pulse width modulation grayscale change and pixel drive circuit of the image control unit then generates a DMD drive signal. A pulse width modulation and reset pulse signal generator produces the DMD drive modulation pulse width, driving the DMD signal to flip and generate infrared and energy, producing a dynamic infrared image. Finally, the laser target is output through the laser target simulation channel, the long-wave infrared image is output through the long-wave infrared simulator, and finally enters the detector after passing through a coupling device.

[0028] The mechanical interface of the laser semi-active and long-wave infrared imaging composite simulator is compatible with the turntable mounting interface. The simulator is mounted on the outer two-axis frame of the five-axis simulation turntable for flight attitude and target simulation, without interference from the inner three-axis frame, and is adapted to the mechanical constraints of the simulation turntable. The system has a compact structure, and its dimensions and structure meet the usage requirements, facilitating installation and transportation. Connections between modules are simple, allowing for easy disassembly and installation. The overall structure should conform to the overall layout requirements of the laboratory. The final rendering is shown below. Figure 4 .

Claims

1. A laser semi-active and long-wave infrared imaging composite simulator, characterized in that, This includes a laser target simulation channel, a long-wave infrared scene simulation channel, and a common-aperture coupler; The laser target simulation channel includes a laser, a laser optical system, a laser beam expander system, and a laser target control system; the laser is a 1064nm laser; the laser generates a band signal that matches the operating band of the target and the detector, and projects it onto the laser target control system, and finally collimates and projects the laser radiation signal through the laser beam expander system; The long-wave infrared scene simulation channel includes a blackbody light source, a long-wave infrared scene simulation channel optical system, and a long-wave infrared scene simulation channel structural system. Specifically, it uses a blackbody light source for illumination to generate a band signal that matches the working band of the detector and projects it onto the infrared signal modulation unit. The common aperture coupler mainly consists of a group of ZnS mirrors and a dichroic mirror. It uses the dichroic mirror to reflect the laser band and transmit the long-wave infrared band.

2. The laser semi-active and long-wave infrared imaging composite simulator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The simulator contains information from both laser and long-wave infrared operating bands.

3. The laser semi-active and long-wave infrared imaging composite simulator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The information from the laser and long-wave infrared channels is output to the detector through a common-aperture coupler.

4. The laser semi-active and long-wave infrared imaging composite simulator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The simulator is mounted on the outer two-axis frame of the five-axis simulation turntable for flight attitude and target simulation, and does not interfere with the inner three-axis frame, thus adapting to the mechanical environment constraints of the simulation turntable.

5. A laser semi-active and long-wave infrared imaging composite simulator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The laser target simulation channel is generated by a laser, enabling laser output with segmented adjustable pulse widths from 8ns to 100ns.

Images