Directed Energy Beam Power Control via Rangefinder Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Directed energy devices, such as lasers, project energy beams that can travel infinitely long without degradation, posing challenges in military settings where friendly forces or non-combatants may be inadvertently targeted due to the beam's long range, leading to potential collateral damage.
Innovation Solution
A directed energy beam power control system that includes a rangefinder and controller to measure the distance to a target and adjust or disable the output power of the directed energy device when the target is not within an expected range, ensuring only the intended target is affected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If directed energy devices project high power energy beams over long distances, then the ability to reach and affect remote targets is improved, but the risk of collateral damage to friendly forces or non-combatants increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the power output of the directed energy device based on real-time range measurements. The controller modifies the power level according to the measured distance, ensuring the beam reaches the intended target while reducing power when friendly forces are detected in the foreground or background, thus preventing collateral damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the rangefinder continuously measures the distance to the target and provides this information to the controller. The controller uses this feedback to determine the appropriate power level, and the system also detects friendly forces in the foreground and background to adjust power accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents collateral damage.
2Reliability
If the directed energy device operates at maximum power to ensure target engagement, then the reliability of target effect is improved, but the safety of friendly forces and non-combatants deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the power parameter of the directed energy device based on the measured range and detection of friendly forces. The controller adjusts the power level to maintain reliable target engagement when safe, while reducing or disabling power when friendly forces are detected, thus balancing reliability with safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of friendly forces in the foreground and background before the beam reaches them. By detecting friendly forces ahead of time and adjusting power in advance, the system prevents harmful effects from occurring, rather than attempting to mitigate damage after it happens.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the system continuously monitors range and adjusts power to prevent collateral damage, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves multiple functions: it receives range measurements from the rangefinder, determines whether the target is within expected range, detects friendly forces in the foreground and background, and adjusts the power output accordingly. By consolidating these multiple functions into a single controller, the system achieves safety without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines the rangefinder, friendly force detection capability, and power control functions into an integrated system. The controller merges range determination, target validation, and power adjustment operations into a unified control mechanism, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive safety monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a directed energy device configured to direct energy onto a remote target under control of a controller. The receives a distance measurement to the target using a rangefinder, determines whether the target is within an expected range; and modifies a power output of the directed energy device when the target is not within the expected range.