Aircraft Laser Warning System with Optical Subsystem
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser detection and warning systems for aircraft lack reliable and accurate detection of laser radiation type, direction, and source location, which poses risks to pilot safety and mission success due to temporary or permanent eye damage from hand-held laser exposure.
Innovation Solution
An airborne laser detection and warning system comprising an optical subsystem, detector subsystem, and processor subsystem that focuses incoming laser radiation, generates digital signals, and determines intensity, azimuth, elevation, and location of the laser source using GPS, navigation, and digital ground mapping to provide a warning output signal to the pilot, including wavelength characteristics and protective eyewear recommendations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional laser detection systems use simple detectors without optical subsystems, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of laser radiation characteristics is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into three functional segments: an optical subsystem for collecting and directing laser radiation, a detector subsystem for converting optical signals to electrical signals, and a processor subsystem for analyzing characteristics and determining source location. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical subsystem acts as an intermediary between the incoming laser radiation and the detector subsystem. It includes optical elements that focus and direct the laser beam onto the detector, enabling precise measurement of radiation characteristics without requiring the detector itself to handle the full complexity of radiation collection.
2Measurement precision
If the system integrates multiple processors (GPS, navigation, digital ground mapping) to determine laser source location, then the location accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple independent processing functions (GPS positioning, navigation data processing, digital ground mapping) into a single integrated processor subsystem. This allows the system to correlate laser detection data with geographic and navigational information to accurately determine source location without requiring separate physical systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor subsystem is designed to perform multiple functions: analyzing laser radiation characteristics from the detector, processing GPS coordinates, integrating navigation data, and generating location information. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be separate systems into one unified processor, improving location accuracy while managing complexity.
3Reliability
If the system provides comprehensive warning information including wavelength, direction, and location, then the pilot safety is improved, but the loss of time for information processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor subsystem is designed to simultaneously process multiple parameters (intensity, wavelength, azimuth, elevation, location) rather than sequentially. By preparing and analyzing all relevant characteristics in parallel, the system provides comprehensive warning information to the pilot without significant time delay, ensuring rapid response capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively alerts pilots to the presence, type, direction, and location of laser radiation, enabling timely protective measures and countermeasures, enhancing safety and mission success by correlating intensity and direction information with aircraft position to accurately determine the laser source.
Implementation Method 1
an optical subsystem arranged to focus incoming laser radiation
Implementation Method 2
a detector subsystem arranged to absorb the focused laser radiation and generate a digital signal in response the absorbed laser radiation
Data Source
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AI summary
A laser detection and warning system and associated methods of warning a pilot of an aircraft of incoming laser radiation and determining a location of a source of laser radiation including a detector configured to be mounted to an aircraft, the detector having an optical subsystem, a detector subsystem, and a processor subsystem to determine characteristics of incoming laser radiation and transmit a laser warning output signal, wherein the laser warning output signal may include wavelength characteristics of the laser radiation, corresponding protective eyewear type, and location of the source of the laser radiation.