DIRCM Laser Safety via Time-Resolved Backscatter Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing DIRCM systems face restrictions in operation due to laser safety concerns, particularly during critical situations like takeoff and landing, as they require ensuring no people are within the eye-safe distance, leading to potential gaps in protection and operational limitations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a disabling apparatus that temporarily disables the laser emission after a short period Δt, allowing for time-resolved backscatter measurement to ensure no objects are within the original laser safety distance, thereby reducing the required safety distance and preventing unnecessary deactivation of the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the laser intensity is increased to ensure effective interference radiation, then the DIRCM system becomes more effective against guided missiles, but the laser safety distance increases, creating restrictions on system operation
Solution Approach 1:
The laser operates in pulsed mode with high repetition rates and short pulse lengths, providing periodic interference radiation that maintains effectiveness while reducing average power and safety distance requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of objects within the laser beam path before activating the high-intensity interference radiation, ensuring safety while maintaining operational effectiveness
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the laser is switched off below the NOHD altitude to ensure safety, then laser safety regulations are complied with, but no protection is provided during critical phases like takeoff and landing
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameters by using short pulse durations and high repetition rates, which reduces the accumulated energy exposure and allows operation at lower altitudes while maintaining safety compliance
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the environment for objects within the laser beam path and adjusts operation accordingly, allowing activation during critical phases when no objects are detected while maintaining safety
3Object-affected harmful factors
If additional sensor systems are used to monitor the laser safety distance, then laser safety can be ensured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing backscatter detection capability of the DIRCM system for dual purposes: both for detecting guided missiles and for monitoring objects within the laser safety distance, eliminating the need for separate sensor systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own emitted laser radiation and the resulting backscatter for safety monitoring, making the system self-sufficient for both its primary function and safety monitoring without requiring external or additional systems
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 reliable operation of the DIRCM system without use restrictions, ensuring safety by minimizing the exposure of people to laser radiation and maintaining effective countermeasure functionality against guided missiles.
Implementation Method 1
time-resolved backscatter measurement to ensure no objects are within the original laser safety distance
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a pulsed interference laser in an eye-safe manner in a DIRCM system onboard an aircraft is provided. A reception apparatus is used to receive echoes from the emitted pulses from the interference laser and to evaluate them to determine whether an object is situated within a prescribed laser safety distance for the DIRCM system in the laser beam. The emission of the laser beam is enabled separately for a respective period of time Δt within the period of use of the interference laser, the emission being enabled for the respective subsequent period of time Δt only if no object has been found within the laser safety distance within the respective preceding period of time Δt.