Extended Laser Active Ranging for Small UAV Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser ranging systems struggle to detect small air vehicles, such as UAVs, due to their smaller reflective surface footprint, leading to potential undetection until lethal range is reached, posing a risk to air vehicles.
Innovation Solution
An extended laser active ranging (ELAR) system that includes a gimbal with a steerable laser photodetector and a computing system capable of performing two modes: one for aligning with an optical line-of-sight and another for searching a region-of-interest to find reflective surfaces, even if the initial signal is not received, allowing for detection of small targets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If laser ranging system uses conventional single-mode operation, then system complexity is low, but detection capability for small targets is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two operational modes: a first mode for acquiring laser ranging reflection signals from large targets, and a second mode for searching pixel clusters representing small targets. This dynamic mode switching enables the system to adapt to different target types and sizes, significantly improving detection capability without requiring permanently complex hardware for both functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser ranging system is segmented into distinct operational modes with specialized functions. The first mode handles conventional large target detection, while the second mode specifically addresses small target detection by analyzing pixel clusters in image data. This segmentation allows each mode to be optimized for its specific purpose, improving overall detection capability across different target types.
2Measurement precision
If laser power or detector sensitivity is increased to detect small targets, then detection range is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of image data to identify pixel clusters that may represent small targets before initiating laser ranging. By pre-processing and analyzing the visual data to locate potential small targets, the system can then direct laser ranging resources efficiently toward these identified areas, improving detection precision without requiring uniformly high laser power or detector sensitivity across the entire field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
Image data and pixel cluster analysis serve as an intermediary that guides the laser ranging process. Instead of relying solely on high-power laser or sensitive detectors, the system uses image processing to identify and locate small targets, then uses this information to direct the laser ranging operation. This intermediary approach enables detection of small targets without proportionally increasing laser power or detector complexity.
3Area of stationary object
If system performs comprehensive search of entire field of view, then detection coverage is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different processing qualities to different regions of the field of view based on target probability. Instead of uniformly searching the entire field of view with equal computational resources, the system identifies pixel clusters that represent potential small targets and concentrates processing efforts on these local regions. This local quality approach maintains comprehensive search coverage while significantly reducing overall processing time by focusing computational resources where they are most needed.
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 the detection of small targets at longer ranges without increasing laser power or detector sensitivity, improving the safety of air vehicles by allowing earlier identification of potential threats.
Implementation Method 1
determine whether a laser ranging reflection (LRR) signal is received by the laser photodetector
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprising non-transitory and tangible memory comprising program instructions for performing an extended laser active ranging (ELAR) procedure having a first mode and a second mode. The system includes a processor configured to execute the program instructions to cause the processor to receive selection of a region-of-interest (ROI) having a pixel cluster; and cause laser ranging using a laser ranging system in the first mode. The process is configured to determine whether a laser ranging reflection (LRR) signal is received by a laser photodetector of a gimbal during the first mode. If the LRR signal is not received, the processor performs the second mode of the ELAR procedure initialized to a center of the selected ROI to search for a reflective surface in the ROI of an imaged real-world view of an ambient scene and registered to the pixel cluster to find a small target.