LIDAR Wind Profile Measurement for Shooter Aim Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack the capability to accurately measure wind profile between a shooter and a target, which is a critical factor in maintaining aiming accuracy at long distances, especially due to varying environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A LIDAR system integrated with a shooting device, including a coherent radiation source, modulator, transceivers, and an optical mixer, measures wind profile and range, and interfaces with a storage device to compute aiming parameters for improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional sensors are used to measure environmental conditions, then temperature and humidity can be measured, but wind profile cannot be accurately measured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical wind sensors with an optical LIDAR system that uses laser beams and photodetectors to measure wind profile. The system transmits laser radiation through the air path and detects Doppler shifts in the scattered light to determine wind speed and direction, eliminating the need for mechanical components that cannot accurately measure wind at long distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct mechanical wind sensing to optical Doppler frequency shift detection. By measuring the frequency shift of laser light scattered by air molecules and particles moving with the wind, the system can determine wind profile parameters (speed and direction) that were previously inaccessible to traditional sensors.
2Length of moving object
If shooting distance is increased, then the shooter is out of range of counter-sniper fire, but accuracy diminishes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring the wind profile along the entire ballistic path before the shot is fired. The LIDAR system maps wind conditions at multiple ranges ahead of time, allowing the shooter to calculate and adjust for wind drift before engaging the target, thereby maintaining accuracy at extended ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by providing real-time wind profile data to the shooter's aiming system. The measured wind information is fed back into the ballistic calculation process, allowing dynamic adjustment of aim point based on actual atmospheric conditions along the shot path, which compensates for the reduced accuracy that normally occurs at long distances.
3Measurement precision
If environmental conditions are not measured, then the system is simpler, but aiming accuracy at long distances cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the LIDAR system to perform multiple functions: it measures both wind profile and range to the target using the same optical apparatus. The laser transmitter, optical scanner, and photodetector array serve dual purposes of characterizing atmospheric conditions and determining target distance, reducing overall system complexity compared to using separate dedicated sensors for each measurement.
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
The system enhances the shooter's ability to compensate for wind variations, increasing the effective range and accuracy of hitting a target by providing precise aiming adjustments based on measured wind profiles and ballistic information.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting a laser radiation through the air path between the shooter and the target and measuring a portion of the scattered light
Implementation Method 2
A LIDAR system integrated with a shooting device, including a coherent radiation source, modulator, transceivers, and an optical mixer
Implementation Method 3
an optical mixer coupled to the one or more transceivers, and coupled to the coherent source. The optical mixer is configured to receive the one or more reflected radiation signals from the corresponding one or more transceivers, receive one or more reference radiation beams from the coherent source, and determine, for each of the one or more transceivers, a corresponding one or more Doppler shifts
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for improving the accuracy of hitting a target are described. An apparatus includes a LIDAR unit, a storage device, an aim adjustment controller and an adjustment interface. The LIDAR unit is configured to measure at least one of wind profiles along a path between a shooting device and the target, and a range to the target. The storage device is configured to store ballistic information for at least one of ammunition types, shooting devices, and environmental conditions. The aim adjustment controller is configured to analyze at least one of the wind profile, the range to the target, and the ballistic information to determine a set of aiming parameters and the adjustment interface is configured to provide aiming instructions based on the set of aiming parameters, wherein the aiming instructions substantially improve the accuracy.