Projectile SAL Seeker Glint Management Unit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional guidance systems with Semi-Active Laser (SAL) seekers face accuracy issues due to the corruption of sensor readings caused by both directly and indirectly reflected laser energy, leading to inaccurate determination of target location.
Innovation Solution
A guidance system with a glint management unit is introduced, which is coaxially aligned with the objective lens assembly and extends laterally at a set angle relative to the projectile's longitudinal axis, deflecting indirectly reflected laser energy away from the sensor array, allowing only directly reflected laser energy to reach the optics and sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the SAL seeker is mounted on the outside of the projectile to enhance laser energy collection, then the collection of laser energy is improved, but indirectly reflected laser energy corrupts the sensor readings
Solution Approach 1:
The optical path is segmented into direct and indirect reflection paths. The glint management unit physically separates these paths by blocking indirect reflections while allowing direct reflections to reach the sensor array, thus resolving the contradiction between energy collection and measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The glint management unit acts as an intermediary element between the incoming laser energy and the SAL seeker. It selectively filters the laser energy by blocking indirect reflections (glint) while permitting direct reflections to pass through to the sensor array
2Quantity of substance
If both directly and indirectly reflected laser energy are collected by the sensor, then the sensor readings include all available laser energy, but the accuracy of the determined target location is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The glint management unit introduces local quality differentiation in the optical path by creating selective transmission zones. Direct reflections pass through designated paths to the sensor while indirect reflections are blocked in specific angular regions, allowing the sensor to receive sufficient signal strength without corruption
3Measurement precision
If the glint management unit is positioned to block indirectly reflected laser energy, then the accuracy of target location determination is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The glint management unit is integrated into the existing SAL seeker assembly, serving multiple functions: blocking indirect reflections, allowing direct reflections to pass, and maintaining structural compatibility with the projectile-mounted configuration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate correction systems
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 significantly reduces the corruption of sensor readings, resulting in a more accurate determination of the target location by minimizing the impact of indirectly reflected laser energy.
Implementation Method 1
A glint management unit is coaxially aligned in front of the objective lens assembly relative to a direction of flight of the projectile. The glint management unit extends laterally at a set angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the projectile such that glint light energy directed toward the objective lens assembly is deflected away from the objective lens assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A guidance system for a projectile having a mid-body. The guidance system having a mid-body semi-active laser seeker. The seeker has an objective lens assembly and a sensor array that reads laser energy and transmits data to determine the direction of the laser energy. A glint management unit is connected to mid-body in such a manner that glint laser energy is prevented from passing to the objective lens assembly and sensor array so as to enhance determination of the location of the target.