Co-locating Dissimilar Optical Systems in Single Aperture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical systems face challenges in combining multiple dissimilar optical systems into a single aperture, leading to increased size, weight, and power consumption, as well as the need for separate apertures and external windows, which complicates the integration and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a Risley prism assembly with a center section within a single aperture, allowing for the co-location of dissimilar optical systems, where the outer region is transmissive to a first waveband and the center section to a second waveband, with the option to steer the outer region while keeping the center section unsteered, using materials like glass or semiconductor substrates, and incorporating lenses or powered mirrors mechanically decoupled from the Risley prism rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If multiple dissimilar optical systems are combined into a single aperture, then system volume and SWAP are reduced, but it becomes difficult to combine the systems and requires complex integration approaches
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into distinct functional zones: an outer region for first waveband optics and a center section for second waveband optics. This spatial segmentation allows dissimilar optical systems to coexist in a single aperture without interfering with each other, reducing overall system volume while maintaining functional independence of each subsystem
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the optical system are assigned different optical properties and functions. The outer region is optimized for first waveband transmission with appropriate optics, while the center section is optimized for second waveband transmission. This local differentiation enables efficient co-location of dissimilar systems without requiring uniform design compromises across the entire aperture
2Reliability
If separate apertures are used for dissimilar optical systems, then each system can be independently optimized, but the overall system size, weight, and power increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple dissimilar optical systems that would traditionally require separate apertures are merged into a single aperture with distinct functional zones. The outer region and center section each accommodate different optical systems optimized for their respective wavebands, achieving weight reduction through consolidation while maintaining the independent optimization benefits of separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The single aperture structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the aperture for first waveband optics in the outer region and for second waveband optics in the center section. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate apertures and associated mounting structures, reducing overall system weight
3Reliability
If separate external windows are used for each subsystem, then each system has independent protection, but the overall cost and system volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single external window serves as the protective interface for multiple dissimilar optical subsystems within the unified aperture. This universal protective window replaces multiple separate windows, reducing manufacturing costs and assembly complexity while maintaining protective coverage for all subsystems through its multi-functional design
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
This approach reduces the overall volume and cost of the optical system by allowing both subsystems to share a protective window and reduces SWAP, enabling efficient co-location of multiple optical systems within a single aperture while maintaining performance across various wavebands from UV to LWIR.
Implementation Method 1
an outer region, wherein the outer region is a Risley prism assembly, constructed of two or more prism elements, and is transmissive to a first waveband
Data Source
AI summary
The system and method for combining two optical assemblies into the same volume, particularly when the field of view of the two assemblies are different, so that the overall volume and swap for the system is reduced. This also allows both subsystems to use the same external protective window, reducing overall cost for a system of co-located dissimilar optical systems in a single aperture.