DIRCM Laser Eye Safety Control via Dynamic Thresholds
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
DIRCM systems face restrictions in use due to high laser intensities that pose eye safety risks, particularly during take-off and landing when the threat from surface-to-air missiles is greatest, leading to limitations in aircraft protection and operational challenges.
Innovation Solution
A method that employs a blocking device and measuring devices within the DIRCM system to dynamically adjust laser emission based on flight altitude, ensuring eye-safe operation by preventing laser radiation when energy levels reach predetermined safety thresholds, and differentiating between spectral ranges to minimize usage restrictions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high laser intensities are used to effectively counteract MANPADS threats, then the DIRCM system becomes more effective at disrupting seeker heads, but the laser safety distance increases creating eye safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the laser safety distance adaptive rather than fixed. The control unit continuously adjusts the laser safety distance based on real-time parameters including aircraft altitude, laser power, pulse duration, and duty cycle. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain effective countermeasure performance while adapting the safety distance to current operational conditions, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and safety hazard.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying multiple laser operating parameters (power, pulse duration, duty cycle) and using these variations to control the accumulated energy exposure. By changing these parameters dynamically, the system can maintain disruptive effectiveness against seeker heads while ensuring that the accumulated energy at any distance remains below hazardous thresholds, thus resolving the effectiveness-safety contradiction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the laser is switched off below the nominal ocular hazard distance to ensure eye safety, then compliance with laser safety regulations is achieved, but the aircraft loses protection during critical low-altitude operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by replacing the static altitude-based switch-off rule with a dynamic safety distance calculation. Instead of switching off the laser at a fixed altitude threshold, the control unit continuously calculates the laser safety distance based on actual operating parameters. This allows the laser to remain operational during low-altitude critical phases as long as the calculated safety distance is satisfied, maintaining both safety compliance and protective reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring laser operating parameters and aircraft state, then using this information to recalculate the laser safety distance in real-time. The control unit uses this feedback loop to adjust laser operation dynamically, ensuring safety compliance while maximizing protection availability during all flight phases including critical low-altitude operations.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the laser safety distance is calculated based on accumulated energy over multiple pulses, then eye safety is improved by considering temporal integration effects, but the calculation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing safety distance values for various combinations of laser parameters (power, pulse duration, duty cycle) and accumulated pulse numbers. The control unit uses these pre-computed lookup tables to quickly determine the current safety distance without performing complex real-time integrations, thus improving eye safety assessment accuracy while minimizing calculation complexity and processing burden.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If additional sensors and complex safety monitoring systems are added to ensure laser safety, then eye safety compliance is improved, but the equipment outlay and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by using the DIRCM system's existing components (laser, modulator, control unit) to perform safety monitoring and calculation functions. The control unit that already manages laser operation also calculates the laser safety distance and enforces safety limits, eliminating the need for separate dedicated safety sensors and monitoring equipment. This approach improves safety compliance while avoiding additional equipment outlay.
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 allows for reduced operational restrictions while maintaining eye safety, enabling continued protection against threats at lower altitudes than conventional systems, with minimal additional equipment and no functional impact on the DIRCM system's performance.
Implementation Method 1
a laser modulated with a suitable interfering sequence is usually used, which is able to simultaneously emit several wavelengths distributed over the infrared spectrum
Implementation Method 2
The interfering laser is provided with a blocking device which can prevent the emission of the laser radiation
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a jamming laser (1) in a DIRCM system (10) on board an aircraft in a manner that is safe for eyes, wherein - the energy of the jamming laser (1) radiated since the start of combat is determined, - a limit of the permissible energy radiation is determined depending on the flight condition of the flying device, wherein the limit corresponds to a laser protection distance to be maintained for said flight condition, and - the radiation is stopped when the limit is reached.