Lightweight Laser Designator Alignment for UAV Target Marking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser designator systems are too large, heavy, and power-hungry for lightweight unmanned aircraft, making them incompatible with long-duration surveys and tactical deployments.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight laser designator system with an optical datum faceplate and kinematic mounting structures, incorporating a laser target marker and spot tracker, orientation sensor, and payload controller, along with visible and infrared cameras, to reduce weight and power consumption while maintaining optical alignment and operational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If conventional laser designator systems are used, then target marking capability is achieved, but weight and power consumption increase making them incompatible with lightweight unmanned aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The laser designator system is divided into separate functional modules (laser target marker, spot tracker, imaging module, orientation sensor) that can be independently optimized and mounted on the optical datum faceplate. This segmentation allows each component to be minimized in size and weight while maintaining overall system functionality for lightweight UAV applications
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs pulse repetition frequency (PRF) encoding of laser beams and synchronized detection timing based on predicted pulse arrival times. By changing the temporal parameters of laser emission and detection, the system achieves reliable target marking and tracking with reduced energy consumption compared to continuous operation
2Volume of moving object
If conventional laser designator systems are used, then target marking capability is achieved, but system size increases beyond what lightweight unmanned aircraft can carry
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple optical components (laser target marker, spot tracker, imaging module) are integrated onto a common optical datum faceplate structure. This nesting approach consolidates what would traditionally be separate bulky systems into a compact integrated payload that fits within the volume constraints of lightweight UAVs while maintaining full target marking functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses temporal dimension (time-based PRF encoding and synchronized detection) to compensate for reduced spatial dimension (compact physical size). By encoding information in the time domain through pulsed laser operation and synchronized detection, the system achieves reliable target marking without requiring large physical components
3Use of energy by moving object
If conventional laser designator systems are used, then target marking capability is achieved, but power consumption increases making them unsuitable for long-duration surveys
Solution Approach 1:
The laser target marker operates in pulsed mode with PRF encoding instead of continuous emission. The spot tracker is enabled only during predicted pulse arrival times. This periodic operation dramatically reduces power consumption compared to continuous operation while maintaining reliable target marking capability through synchronized detection windows
Solution Approach 2:
The system predicts laser pulse arrival times at the target based on range information and enables the spot tracker in advance during the expected detection window. This preliminary action ensures that the detector is active only when needed, minimizing power consumption while guaranteeing reliable detection of the laser spot for target marking confirmation
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 lightweight, power-efficient laser designation for unmanned aerial vehicles, allowing long-duration surveys and tactical operations with enhanced situational awareness and target marking capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a laser target marker configured to generate and project a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) encoded laser beam towards the scene
Implementation Method 2
a laser spot tracker configured to detect a PRF encoded laser spot generated by the PRF encoded laser beam within the scene
Data Source
AI summary
Laser designator systems (laser designator systems) and related techniques are provided to improve the operational flexibility of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). A laser designator system includes an imaging module configured to image a scene according to a first field of view (FOV) of the imaging module; a laser spot tracker configured to detect a plurality of PRF encoded laser spots disposed within the scene and to provide a corresponding plurality of angular positions of the plurality of PRF encoded laser spots within a second FOV of the laser spot tracker; and an optical datum faceplate coupled to and configured to optically align the imaging module and the laser spot tracker to each other and a boresight for the laser designator system defined by the optical datum faceplate.