Multi-Fiber Relay for Off-Gimbal Laser Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gimbaled LADAR transmitters are bulky, costly, and inefficient due to the need for on-gimbal laser cavities and bulk optics, which are sensitive to temperature and tolerances, limiting signal-to-noise ratio and power handling in multi-beam systems.
Innovation Solution
A multi-beam LADAR system with an off-gimbal laser and a multi-fiber relay optically linking the laser output to mission-specific optics, reducing the need for on-gimbal components and improving power handling and beam quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If on-gimbal laser cavities and bulk optics are used, then optical alignment is achieved, but system size, weight, complexity, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The laser cavity is extracted from the gimbal assembly and placed in a stationary position. The patent uses a stationary laser cavity with a rotating mirror assembly instead of mounting the entire laser cavity on the gimbal, thereby reducing the complexity and weight of the moving gimbal assembly while maintaining optical alignment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system is segmented into separate functional components: a stationary laser cavity, a rotating mirror assembly for beam steering, and a gimbal-mounted sensor. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precise optical alignment.
2Manufacturing precision
If on-gimbal laser cavities and bulk optics are used, then optical alignment is achieved, but system size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy laser cavity components are extracted from the gimbal assembly and positioned stationary. Only the essential beam-steering mirrors are mounted on the rotating assembly, significantly reducing the weight of the moving gimbal components while preserving optical alignment functionality.
3Reliability
If conventional fiber delivery is used, then laser signal transmission is achieved, but power handling capability is limited due to single fiber channel constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The single fiber channel is segmented into multiple parallel fiber channels. The patent employs a multi-fiber bundle where each fiber carries a portion of the total laser power, thereby increasing the overall power handling capability while maintaining reliable signal transmission through the collective redundancy of multiple channels.
4Reliability
If conventional single fiber optic channel is used, then laser signal transmission is achieved, but beam quality deteriorates due to mode coupling and diffraction effects
Solution Approach 1:
The single fiber channel is divided into multiple individual fiber channels within a bundle. Each fiber maintains its own mode structure and beam quality characteristics, avoiding the mode coupling and diffraction effects that plague single large-core fibers. The collective output of the fiber bundle preserves beam quality while enabling higher power transmission.
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 configuration reduces system size, cost, and complexity, enhances signal-to-noise ratio, and increases power handling capability while simplifying alignment and reducing susceptibility to defects and contamination.
Implementation Method 1
a multi-fiber relay optically linking the laser output to the mission specific optics
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-beam LADAR apparatus and a method for use in a multi-beam LADAR system are disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of mission specific optics; a gimbal in which the mission specific optics are mounted; an off-gimbal laser; and a multi-fiber relay optically linking the laser output to the mission specific optics. The method includes gimbaling a plurality of mission specific optics; generating a laser signal off the gimbal; and optically relaying the laser signal to the mission specific optics through a plurality of discreet channels.