Off-Axis Laser Detection Through Atmospheric Scattering
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of detecting and localizing off-axis laser threats in civilian and military applications, where laser sources are non-cooperative and emit light scattered by atmospheric molecules and aerosols, requires a sensor system for effective off-axis detection.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system utilizing a cooled InGaAs focal plane array, a focusing lens, and an electronically tunable optical filter, combined with an image processing algorithm that includes background noise subtraction, image thresholding, binarization, morphological processing, and Radon transform to detect and localize laser light through Mie scattering events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If off-axis detection of scattered laser light is performed, then laser source identification capability is improved, but detection precision deteriorates due to low signal intensity from scattered light
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by collecting multiple images over time before final detection, accumulating scattered light signals to enhance detection capability. The image processing pipeline pre-processes data through background subtraction, thresholding, and morphological operations to prepare for accurate laser source identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple images together to accumulate weak scattered light signals from different time points. By combining temporal information from multiple frames, the system overcomes the low signal intensity problem and achieves reliable off-axis laser detection.
2Reliability
If multiple images are collected and processed, then signal detection capability is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image processing pipeline is segmented into distinct modular steps: background subtraction, thresholding, morphological operations, and laser source identification. This segmentation makes the complex processing task more manageable and computationally efficient while maintaining high detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts only the essential features from multiple images through selective processing steps. By taking out and processing only relevant signal components while discarding noise, the system achieves reliable detection without excessive processing complexity.
3Measurement precision
If background noise is reduced through processing, then detection accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Background subtraction is performed as a preliminary action before main detection, removing noise components in advance. This preliminary processing step simplifies subsequent detection operations and reduces overall processing time while maintaining high detection accuracy.
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 achieves accurate detection and localization of off-axis laser beams in various lighting conditions, including daylight, with high true positive rates and low false positives, by processing multiple images to enhance signal detection and reduce noise.
Implementation Method 1
detect atmospheric scattering of laser light from the laser source
Implementation Method 2
The atmospheric scattering may be Mie scattering or Rayleigh scattering
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for off-axis detection of a laser source. The system may include an optical sensor configured to detect light, a focusing lens adjacent to an input of the optical sensor and configured to focus the light and an optical filter adjacent to an input of the focusing lens and configured to filter a wavelength of the light. A processor may be connected to the optical sensor and may implement disclosed methods to analyze data from the optical sensor to detect atmospheric scattering of laser light from the laser source.