SWIR Camera Pulse Timing Logic for SAL Missile Seeker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semi-Active Laser (SAL) guided missiles equipped with SWIR cameras have not utilized image data effectively due to low signal-to-noise ratios, limiting their precision in target detection.
Innovation Solution
A seeker system for SAL guided missiles incorporating a Short-Wave Infra-Red (SWIR) camera and a Pulse Timing Logic (PTL) detector, which synchronizes camera exposure with the predicted timing of SWIR pulses to improve image capture and enhance signal-to-noise ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If SWIR camera is used to capture target images, then target visualization is enabled, but signal-to-noise ratio remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The PTL detector predicts the timing of the next SWIR pulse before the camera captures the image, allowing the camera to be pre-synchronized to the optimal moment when the target will be illuminated by the laser pulse, thereby capturing the maximum signal before noise dominates
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the PTL detector's pulse timing analysis to continuously adjust and synchronize the camera exposure timing, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to the laser pulse sequence pattern and maintains optimal signal-to-noise ratio
2Productivity
If camera exposure is continuous, then target images can be captured, but signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The camera exposure is synchronized to occur periodically at specific intervals aligned with the predicted SWIR pulse timing, rather than operating continuously, which allows the camera to capture images only when the target is illuminated by the laser pulse, thereby maintaining high signal-to-noise ratio while achieving effective target detection
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary prediction of pulse timing using the PTL detector before triggering the camera exposure, ensuring that each capture occurs at the optimal moment in the periodic pulse sequence, maximizing signal capture while minimizing noise accumulation from continuous operation
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 solution enables improved target detection precision by synchronizing camera exposure with the predicted timing of SWIR pulses, thereby enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio and guiding the missile more accurately to the designated target.
Implementation Method 1
The optical lens stack is further configured to focus at least a portion of the received SWIR light onto the imaging region of the focal plane array thereby forming an image of the aligned scene
Implementation Method 2
The PTL detector includes a SWIR photo detector aligned parallel to the optical axis so as to be operable to detect a sequence of SWIR pulses generated by a SAL target designator and reflected by the aligned scene
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and associated methods relate to a seeker for a Semi-Active Laser (SAL) guided missile. The seeker has a Short-Wave InfraRed (SWIR) camera and a Pulse Timing Logic (PTL) detector. The PTL detector has a SWIR photo detector axially aligned with a lens stack of the SWIR camera. The SWIR photo detector is configured to detect a sequence of SWIR pulses generated by a SAL target designator and reflected by a designated target. The PTL detector has a pulse timer configured to identify a sequence pattern of the detected sequence of SWIR pulses, and to predict a timing of a next SWIR pulse in the identified sequence pattern so as to synchronize exposure of the SWIR camera to capture a next image of the designated target at the predicted timing of the next SWIR pulse. Such exposure timing can advantageously improve the signal to noise ratio of the next image.