Multi-target optical designator using switching array and ball lens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional optical target designation systems are large, heavy, power-hungry, and inefficient, as they can only illuminate and designate a single target at a time, making them unsuitable for modern battlefield applications where simultaneous targeting of multiple targets is required.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a light source, an optical switching array, and a ball lens that can simultaneously illuminate multiple targets by routing light through the switching array to the ball lens, which produces highly collimated output beams for independent and simultaneous designation, and optionally includes a detector array for imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional gimbaled optical system is used to designate targets, then the system can provide precise target designation, but it can only illuminate and designate a single target at a time, making it inefficient for modern battlefield applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into multiple independent light sources (laser diodes) arranged in an array, with each light source capable of independently illuminating a different target. This segmentation allows simultaneous multi-target designation while maintaining precise control over each beam, resolving the contradiction between single-target precision and multi-target capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal optical designation system that can handle both single-target and multi-target scenarios using the same hardware infrastructure. The array of light sources and detection elements can be configured to designate any number of targets simultaneously, making the system adaptable to various battlefield situations without requiring separate systems for different target quantities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional optical target designation system is used, then the system structure is relatively simple, but the system becomes large, heavy, and power-hungry when attempting to designate multiple targets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical gimbaled systems with a fixed optical array configuration. Instead of moving a single optical system to track multiple targets, the invention uses multiple fixed light sources and detection elements that can simultaneously monitor and designate multiple targets without mechanical movement, significantly reducing system weight and complexity while maintaining multi-target capability.
3Productivity
If a traditional single-beam optical system is used, then the system consumes less power for a single target, but the system becomes power-hungry when designating multiple targets sequentially or simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic modulation of the light sources and synchronized detection to efficiently manage power consumption. By using time-multiplexed illumination patterns and coordinated detection cycles, the system can illuminate multiple targets simultaneously while maintaining lower average power consumption compared to continuous illumination approaches, resolving the contradiction between productivity and energy use.
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 rapid and accurate simultaneous illumination and designation of multiple targets, facilitating laser range mapping, convolution imaging, and target tracking, while allowing for image generation from scattered light beams.
Implementation Method 1
The ball lens receives light beams scattered from the targets and refracts the received lights beams so that the light beams impinge on the detector array
Implementation Method 2
The ball lens creates highly collimated output beams from any of the source points at the output of the switching array that are illuminated, independently (and simultaneously)
Implementation Method 3
The ball lens receives light beams scattered from the targets and refracts the received lights beams so that the light beams impinge on the detector array. The signal generated by the detector array can be used for imaging, for example.
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for selectively illuminating and designating multiple targets in the air or on the ground simultaneously. The device comprises a light source, a switching array and a ball lens. Light from the light source is routed through the switching array, which can addressably output multiple light beams simultaneously. The light beams from the switching array illuminate the backside of a low F-number ball lens. The ball lens creates highly collimated output beams independently (and simultaneously) from any of the output source points of the switching array. These output beams can be used to simultaneously designate multiple targets. When the target illuminating device includes an optional detector array, light scattered from targets can be refracted by the balls lens to impinge on the detector array. Signals from the detector array representing the received light beams can be used for target imaging.