Portable Ladar Test Target Using Fiber Optical Delay Lines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current testing methods for LADAR/LiDAR systems are limited in providing three-dimensional target simulations and angular displacement within a small laboratory or portable indoor setting, mainly offering one-dimensional information and limited complexity in target representation.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using fiber optical delay lines to simulate return signals with programmable delays, combined with rotation or translation of a target plane to create multiple ranging and angular positions, enabling the generation of three-dimensional targets within the LADAR/LiDAR field of view, and utilizing multiple delay timers and light sources to achieve varied intensity levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If outdoor range technique with real target objects is used, then three-dimensional target simulation is achieved, but the testing equipment becomes non-portable and requires large facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates optical copies of distant targets using fiber optic delay lines that simulate the time-of-flight characteristics of light traveling to and from remote objects. Multiple fiber optic cables with different lengths represent different target distances, allowing a compact indoor setup to replicate outdoor ranging scenarios without requiring actual physical distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fiber optic delay lines as intermediary elements between the LADAR system and the target plane. These delay lines act as mediators that simulate the optical path delay of distant targets, enabling the system to test three-dimensional ranging capabilities indoors without direct line-of-sight to actual distant objects.
2Device complexity
If compact indoor LADAR testing is performed with simple targets, then portability is achieved, but only one-dimensional information is provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds the time dimension to the target plane by incorporating fiber optic delay lines of varying lengths. While the physical target plane remains two-dimensional, the optical path introduces a temporal dimension that encodes range information, transforming the testing capability from one-dimensional (intensity only) to three-dimensional (intensity, angle, and range).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the target representation into multiple discrete points, each associated with a specific fiber optic delay line length. This segmentation allows independent control of range information for different target points, enabling complex three-dimensional target simulations by combining multiple delayed optical signals corresponding to different spatial coordinates.
3Loss of information
If fiber optical delay lines are used to simulate return signals, then three-dimensional target simulation is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the fiber optic delay lines multi-functional by using them simultaneously for range simulation, optical signal routing, and target plane illumination. The same fiber optic infrastructure that provides delay also delivers optical power to the target plane, eliminating the need for separate illumination sources and reducing overall system complexity despite the added ranging capability.
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 the simulation of complex three-dimensional targets and varied intensity levels, enhancing the ability to test LADAR/LiDAR systems with multiple ranging and imaging capabilities within a compact indoor environment, providing more comprehensive and realistic testing scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting the light pulse into a first end of the fiber optical delay line. The method includes transmitting the light pulse throughout a length of the fiber optical delay line
Implementation Method 2
triggering a laser diode or other light source to output a light pulse
Data Source
AI summary
A method of testing a Laser Detection and Ranging (LADAR) or LIght Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) system includes receiving an input signal from the LADAR/LiDAR and triggering light/laser sources to output pulses. The method includes transmitting the light/laser pulses into a first end of two or more fiber optical delay lines. The method includes transmitting the pulses throughout a length of two or more fiber optical delay lines. The method includes after a delay time corresponding to the length of the fiber optical delay lines, transmitting the pulses out through a second end of the fiber optical delay lines arranged within a target plane. The pulses output yield a return signals transmission from the target plane to the LADAR/LiDAR. The return signal transmission is delayed by times for the light/laser pulses to traverse the length of the fiber optical delay lines.