CWDM Laser System for UAV Countermeasures
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser-based directed energy systems for countering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are complex, costly, and inefficient due to the need for precise spectral alignment and narrow linewidths, which limits power output and increases complexity, making them unsuitable for widespread anti-UAV applications.
Innovation Solution
The use of coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) with a system comprising multiple laser devices generating beams at different wavelengths, combined using thin film filters and a beam expander, allows for a simpler and more cost-effective approach by relaxing linewidth constraints and increasing power output per channel, enabling effective UAV disruption or destruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional spectral beam combining or coherent beam combining systems are used, then precise spectral alignment and narrow linewidths are achieved, but system complexity, size, weight, and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter from narrow linewidth to broader linewidth (coarse wavelength division multiplexing), which relaxes the spectral alignment requirements and reduces system complexity while maintaining effective beam combining for UAV countermeasures
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the laser source into multiple independent laser devices operating at different coarse wavelengths, each with relaxed linewidth requirements, rather than requiring a single complex system with precise spectral control
2Measurement precision
If traditional spectral beam combining or coherent beam combining systems are used, then precise spectral alignment and narrow linewidths are achieved, but power output per channel decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing from narrow linewidth to broader linewidth operation in CWDM, each laser channel can operate at higher power levels without the spectral precision constraints that limit power in traditional systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple high-power laser beams at different coarse wavelengths using CWDM technology to achieve high total power output while maintaining simplicity and cost-effectiveness
3Measurement precision
If traditional spectral beam combining or coherent beam combining systems are used, then precise spectral alignment is achieved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts broader wavelength spacing in CWDM which uses less expensive components and manufacturing processes compared to the precision optical components required for traditional spectral beam combining or coherent beam combining systems
4Measurement precision
If traditional spectral beam combining or coherent beam combining systems are used, then precise spectral alignment is achieved, but system size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
By using broader linewidth CWDM instead of narrow linewidth traditional methods, the system requires fewer and smaller optical components, reducing overall system weight and size while maintaining effectiveness for anti-UAV applications
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 significantly reduces system complexity, size, weight, and cost while achieving higher power output, enabling effective UAV disruption or destruction with fewer components and lower operational complexity compared to traditional spectral beam combining and coherent beam combining systems.
Implementation Method 1
a coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) combiner configured to combine the plurality of laser beams from the plurality of laser devices into a combined laser beam
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of thin film filters comprises: a first thin film filter configured to combine a first laser beam from a first laser device, of the plurality of laser devices, with a second laser beam from a second laser device, of the plurality of laser devices, to generate a first combined laser beam
Implementation Method 3
the CWDM combiner comprises a beam expander configured to converge or diverge the combined laser beam, and the anti-UAV computing platform is configured to output the combined laser beam at the first scan angle by directing the beam expander to diverge the combined laser beam to the first scan angle
Implementation Method 4
the tracking device is a capturing device that is configured to detect a reflection of the combined laser beam output by the CWDM combiner
Implementation Method 5
a plurality of laser devices configured to generate a plurality of laser beams at a plurality of different wavelengths
Data Source
AI summary
A system for disabling or destroying an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided. The system comprises an anti-UAV system and an anti-UAV computing platform. The anti-UAV system comprises: a plurality of laser devices configured to generate a plurality of laser beams at a plurality of different wavelengths; a coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) combiner configured to combine the plurality of laser beams from the plurality of laser devices into a combined laser beam; and a tracking device configured to detect a UAV. The anti-UAV computing platform is configured to: detect, using the tracking device, an object within range of the tracking device; and based on detecting the object, direct, using the anti-UAV system, the combined laser beam from the CWDM combiner onto the detected object.