Compound Eye Laser Tracker with Multiaperture Optics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current semi-active laser (SAL) spot-tracking missile seekers have limited field of view and high ambient noise, making them inefficient in tracking targets under elevated background illumination, such as sunlight, and require moving parts for wider views.
Innovation Solution
A compound eye laser missile seeker using a multiaperture compound receiver optics system with spectral and angular filters, a lens array, photodetectors, and optical fiber bundles to track targets within a 50° cone field of view without moving parts, rejecting extraneous light and providing precise guidance signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single aperture optics is used, then the device structure is simple, but the field of view is limited to about 10°
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single aperture into multiple apertures arranged in an array. Each aperture is small and fixed, but collectively they provide a wide field of view by capturing light from different angular directions simultaneously. This segmentation allows the device to achieve >10° FOV without moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point aperture to a two-dimensional aperture array. This dimensional expansion allows simultaneous detection of light from multiple directions, effectively increasing the field of view without requiring mechanical movement or complex optical paths.
2Measurement precision
If spectral and angular filtering are added to block background illumination, then the signal-to-noise ratio improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines spectral filtering (wavelength selection) and angular filtering (directional selection) into a unified filtering system. By merging these two filtering functions, the device achieves high signal-to-noise ratio by simultaneously rejecting both wavelength-based and angle-based background illumination, while avoiding the complexity of separate filtering subsystems.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtering system is designed to perform multiple functions: spectral filtering to select laser wavelength, angular filtering to select target direction, and background rejection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing complexity while achieving high measurement precision.
3Area of stationary object
If moving parts are used to expand field of view, then the field of view increases, but the device reliability decreases due to mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical scanning systems (moving mirrors, rotating detectors, gimbals) with a fixed aperture array. The wide field of view is achieved through the spatial arrangement of multiple fixed apertures rather than mechanical movement, thereby eliminating moving parts and improving reliability.
4Area of stationary object
If a wide field of view is implemented with single aperture, then the search capability improves, but the ambient noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the wide field of view into multiple narrow fields of view (one per aperture), each aperture captures light from a specific angular direction. This allows individual apertures to maintain narrow effective FOV with low noise, while the array collectively provides wide search capability. The segmentation isolates noise sources spatially.
Solution Approach 2:
Each aperture in the array is designed with local optimization for its specific angular sector, including tailored filtering and detection characteristics. This local quality ensures that each element operates with optimal signal-to-noise ratio for its designated direction, while the aggregate provides comprehensive wide-angle coverage.
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
Enables accurate tracking and sensing of laser-illuminated targets with a wide field of view (>10°) and low noise, eliminating the need for gimbals and improving precision guidance under bright background conditions.
Implementation Method 1
collecting a signal with a lens array
Implementation Method 2
filtering the signal to select specific wavelengths or wavelength ranges
Implementation Method 3
filtering the signal to limit the angular field of view of each lens
Implementation Method 4
directing the signal to one or more photodetectors
Data Source
AI summary
The Compound Eye Laser Illumination Seeker is a tracking system used to guide items to point at a laser-illuminated target, with the illumination being either pulsed or modulated at either a specific rate or within a range of rates. The device comprises a multiaperture compound receiver optics to collect the signal, a set of light guides to combine the received light into light representing individual angular sectors and redirect it to detectors whose output represents the illumination signal in that quadrant, a spectral filter, an angle filter, the set of detectors, and processing electronics. The output is an electronic signal indicating the angular difference between the pointing direction of the signal and the pointing direction of the tracking device.