Optical Fiber Mirror Assembly for Free Space Laser Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gimbal-based laser tracking systems are heavy, bulky, power-intensive, and require long acquisition times due to mechanical complexity, making them unsuitable for airborne and mobile applications, especially when targeting distant or moving terminals.
Innovation Solution
A laser tracking system utilizing an optical fiber/mirror assembly within the focal plane of the telescope for angular adjustment, allowing for rapid acquisition and tracking by reciprocally reflecting the incoming beam, reducing the uncertainty area and eliminating the need for complex mechanical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gimbal-based mechanical systems are used for beam steering, then high angular resolution and fast alignment times are achieved, but weight, bulk, power consumption, and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical gimbal system with an optical fiber positioning system that uses translation stages to move the optical fiber in the focal plane. This substitution eliminates heavy motors, servos, and mechanical gimbals while achieving the same beam steering function through precise optical fiber positioning, thereby dramatically reducing system weight and complexity while maintaining angular resolution.
2Measurement precision
If gimbal-based mechanical systems are used for beam steering, then high angular resolution and fast alignment times are achieved, but device complexity and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical gimbal assemblies with a simplified optical fiber positioning system using translation stages. This eliminates the need for multiple rotating mechanical components, bearings, and mechanical linkages, reducing device complexity while maintaining the capability for precise angular control through optical fiber repositioning in the focal plane.
3Measurement precision
If traditional gimbal systems are used for target acquisition, then accurate alignment is achieved, but acquisition time is prolonged due to mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical gimbal systems with an optical fiber positioning system that can rapidly reposition the optical fiber in the focal plane using translation stages. This eliminates mechanical inertia and friction delays, enabling faster beam steering responses and reducing target acquisition time while maintaining alignment accuracy through precise optical fiber positioning.
4Measurement precision
If gimbal-based systems are used for beam steering, then high angular resolution is achieved, but size and weight become prohibitive for airborne applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky mechanical gimbal systems with a compact optical fiber positioning system using translation stages. This substitution eliminates the need for large mechanical housings, motor assemblies, and structural support components, dramatically reducing system volume and weight while maintaining angular resolution through precise optical fiber repositioning in the focal plane.
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 results in a lightweight, low-power consumption system with rapid acquisition capabilities, significantly reducing size and cost while maintaining high angular precision, enabling efficient target tracking without the limitations of traditional gimbal systems.
Implementation Method 1
The mirror allows a received beam to be reflected back through the telescope and expanded exactly reciprocally from its arriving direction, thereby identifying the location of the receiver
Data Source
AI summary
An acquisition, pointing and tracking system for free space optical communications systems performs the pointing and tracking function internally by way of translating an internal optical fiber in the focal plane of the transceiver telescope with a reflecting mirror in the telescope focal plane of each linked transceiver. The beam reflected from the mirror records the exact direction of the reflected beam at the transmitting beam's transceiver terminal, providing the transmitting source to lock on to the receiving telescope, allowing for the link to be acquired.