Laser Spot Tracking Receiver Bifocal Optical Element Hot Spot Cancellation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser-guided weapon systems face accuracy issues due to 'hot spots' caused by beam irregularities and imperfections on the seeker head, which affect the stability and accuracy of the centroid detection.
Innovation Solution
A bifocal optical element is used to create two beam sets with equal energies, which are focused to respective focal points along a single axis, allowing a single detector to project upright and inverted images of the laser light, enabling more robust centroid calculation by canceling out hot spot effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single detector is used to detect laser light, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to hot spot effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the laser beam into multiple beam sets using a beam splitter, directing each beam set to a different detector. This segmentation allows each detector to measure specific portions of the beam profile, enabling hot spot cancellation through differential measurement while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular detector architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a beam splitter as an intermediary optical element that divides the incident laser beam into multiple beam sets. This intermediary component enables the distribution of beam energy to multiple detectors, facilitating hot spot effect cancellation without requiring direct complex interaction between multiple detectors and the beam.
2Measurement precision
If multiple detectors are used to cancel hot spot effects, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hot spot cancellation function with the centroid detection function by using the same beam splitter and detector array that performs the primary detection also to eliminate hot spot effects through differential measurement. This merging approach achieves precision improvement without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the signal from multiple detectors is processed to calculate centroid position while simultaneously compensating for hot spot effects. The differential signals from multiple detectors provide feedback information that is used to correct measurements, improving precision while keeping the detector configuration manageable through shared optical components.
3Reliability
If beam irregularities are present, then laser guidance function is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to hot spots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful hot spot effects into beneficial measurement information by using detectors to measure both the primary beam and the hot spot components. The differential measurement approach allows the system to distinguish between the desired beam profile and the harmful hot spots, transforming the hot spots from pure noise into correctable measurement artifacts that improve overall system reliability.
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 enhances the accuracy of target location by minimizing the impact of hot spots on centroid determination, improving the precision of laser-guided weapon systems without requiring separate detectors for each beam set.
Implementation Method 1
A bifocal optical element is used to create two beam sets with equal energies, which are focused to respective focal points along a single axis
Implementation Method 2
the detector being configured for measuring an intensity of impinging light at each portion
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for is presented for locating at least one object illuminated by a laser designator. A detector and an optical unit are provided. The one optical unit is configured for receiving a beam of laser light scattered by the at least one object being illuminated by the laser designator, for creating two secondary beams, and for focusing the two secondary beams to respective foci along an optical axis of the at least one optical unit. The detector is located between the two foci, divided into an even number of portions, and is configured for measuring an intensity of impinging light at each portion. The optical unit is configured for causing the received laser light to impinge the detector, such that an upright image and an inverted image of the scattered laser light beam having substantially equal sizes and substantially equal energies are projected on the detector.