In the Phase II program, we will expand upon the work completed in Phase I to deliver a set of field-deployable laser event recorders. The device detects and records detailed temporal, spectral and spatial information on the laser source. The device will record laser-strike characteristics, including wavelength, power, pulse width and repetition rate, as well as the location of the aircraft and the laser source at the time of detection. The device will be compact and rugged and will work with a variety of accessories that allow mounting on aircraft or aircrew. A user interface will be optimized for use during flight as well as for use in post-flight evaluations. The user interface integrates visual warnings compatible with night vision goggles. The device will be compact and lightweight and rugged enough to withstand the harsh environments expected in the field. We will perform extensive field tests to validate the laser event recorder.
Benefit: The device has a clearly identified application in laser event monitoring for use by the DoD as well as law enforcement and commercial aviation. The device provides an effective solution for identifying and characterizing laser strikes and locating its source. The techniques for detecting, characterizing, and locating lasers can be applied to various other applications. It can be adapted to provide not only location detection but identification and authentication of the laser source. The technique is particularly well-suited for search and rescue applications. An automated detection system based on an optical beacon would significantly enhance vision-based search, as it will have larger detection field of view and significantly greater detection sensitivity. The laser-based system can identify the target in the presence of significant amount of dynamic visual clutter.
Keywords: Laser Event Recorder, laser characterization, Spectroscopy, location identification, diffraction
