Method And Apparatus For Laser Return Characterization In A Countermeasures System
AssigneeBAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
InventorsArmando CORELLA, John A. CARATTINI
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a method for laser return characterization in a DIRCM system, the improvement locating, a single IR detector in an aperture in an image mirror so that its output can be used for countermeasure effectiveness measurement, missile range measurement, missile characteristic determination and to provide an AGC signal for tracking camera gain control.
Claims14
A method for determining laser return characteristics in a DIRCM system having a gimbal carrying an image mirror and a tracking camera, comprising the step of:
- locating a single IR detector in an aperture in the image mirror;
- and,
- using the output from the single infrared detector for at least one of countermeasure effectiveness, missile range measurement, or missile classification determination, or for automatic gain control of the tracking camera.
Apparatus for the improvement of laser return characterization in a DIRCM system having a laser, a tracking camera, a gimbal and an elevation arm mounted in said gimbal, comprising:
- an mirror having an aperture therethrough;
- a single infrared detector mounted so as to be exposed to radiation passing through said aperture;
- and,
- a countermeasure effectiveness module coupled to the output of said single infrared detector for ascertaining when radiation indicative of a return from the reticle of a missile is present and for when said radiation is not present thereafter, whereby a detector output indicative of no laser return radiation after the previous presence thereof is indicative of the employment of an effective countermeasure.
A method for eliminating the burden on a tracking camera used in a DIRCM system to be able to ascertain at least one of countermeasure effectiveness, missile range measurement, and missile classification, or to provide automatic gain control of the camera used by the DIRCM system, comprising the steps of:
- providing the DIRCM system with a gimbal that employs an image mirror;
- and,
- locating a single infrared detector at said image mirror so as to collect a portion of the energy returned to said DIRCM system due to the reflection of countermeasure radiation by the reticle of a missile, whereby the output of said single infrared detector may be used without affecting the operation of the tracking camera, thereby to unload the tracking camera from activities unrelated to tracking.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.