Optical detection system and method for detecting a hostile optical component
AssigneesHENSOLDT Sensors GmbH, HENSOLDT Optronics GmbH
InventorsOliver Rudow, Lutz Hoering
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical detection system for detecting a hostile optical component without exposing the surrounding to unnecessary hazards is disclosed. The system comprises a laser unit configured to provide an adjustable laser beam along an optical path to scan for the optic component or to act as jammer by providing a target spoofing; a single aperture for the optical path; a detector configured to detect through the single aperture retroreflections of the laser beam at the optical component; and a camera for detecting through the single aperture potential candidates for the hostile optical component.
Claims14
An optical detection system for detecting a hostile optical component without exposing the surrounding to unnecessary hazards, the system comprising:
- a laser unit configured to provide an adjustable laser beam along an optical path to scan for the optic component or to act as jammer by providing a target spoofing;
- a single aperture for the optical path;
- a detector configured to detect through the single aperture retroreflections of the laser beam at the hostile optical component;
- a camera for detecting through the single aperture potential candidates for the hostile optical component;
- and
- a control unit, the control unit being configured to:
- (i) determine a distance between the optical detection system and the optical component;
- (ii) utilize the laser unit for a laser-based countermeasure, and (iii) adjust the divergence of the laser beam, based on the determined distance, to minimize a laser hazard area for the laser beam.
An apparatus suitable to be mounted on a periscope of a military vehicle, in particular a tank, comprising:
- an optical detection system for detecting a hostile optical component without exposing the surrounding to unnecessary hazards, the system comprising:
- a laser unit configured to provide an adjustable laser beam along an optical path to scan for the optic component or to act as jammer by providing a target spoofing;
- a single aperture for the optical path;
- a detector configured to detect through the single aperture retroreflections of the laser beam at the hostile optical component;
- a camera for detecting through the single aperture potential candidates for the hostile optical component, and
- a control unit, the control unit being configured to:
- (i) determine a distance between the optical detection system and the optical component;
- (ii) utilize the laser unit for a laser-based countermeasure, and (iii) adjust the divergence of the laser beam, based on the determined distance, to minimize a laser hazard area for the laser beam.
A method for detecting a hostile optical component without exposing the surrounding to unnecessary hazards by utilizing a system with a laser unit, a single aperture for an optical path, a detector, and a camera, the method comprising:
- transmitting an adjustable laser beam along the optical path through the single aperture to scan for the optic component or to act as jammer by providing a target spoofing;
- detecting, by a detector unit through the single aperture, retroreflections of the laser beam at the optical component;
- and
- detecting, by a camera through the single aperture, potential candidates for the hostile optical component;-
- determining, by a control unit, a distance between the optical detection system and the optical component;
- utilizing, by the control unit, the laser unit for a laser-based countermeasure;
- and
- adjusting, by the control unit, the divergence of the laser beam of the laser unit, based on the determined distance, to minimize a laser hazard area for the laser beam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.