COTS Lens and Detector Characterization for Low Cost, Miniature SAL Seekers

摘要

In the spirit of lower cost, weight, and volume, a simple aspheric refractor lens is characterized with a square detector for Semi-Active Laser (SAL) seeker applications. Experimental results show an angular error of 0.176 degree over an angular range of ±6 degrees (linear region of the detector) and an error of 0.097 degree over a range of ±4 degrees. In the final 10 seconds of a typical end-game SAL engagement, the slant range is approximately 2500m, corresponding to a target location error of 7.7m in the former case and 4.2m in the latter case. These initial results are very encouraging as the experimental research continues by replacing the square detector with a quad cell detector.