System and method for covert pointer/communications and laser range finder

• US 10,267,900 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2016
• Issued: 04/23/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Incorporated (BAE Systems Plc)
• Original Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Incorporated (BAE Systems Plc)
• Inventors: Choiniere, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Baghdasaryan, Hovhannes
• Application Number:
  US15/344,849
• Publication Number:
  US 20180128906A1
• Time in Patent Office: 897 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/10 using transmission of interrupted, pulse-modulated waves determination of distance by phase measurements G01S17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4804 Auxiliary means for detecting or identifying lidar signals or the like, e.g. laser illuminators
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4814 of transmitters alone
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4816 of receivers alone
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/484 Transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4861 Circuits for detection, sampling, integration or read-out
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/51 Display arrangements

Abstract

A system and method for covert targeting and communication that uses Laser Range Finder (LRF) and Digital Light Processing (DLP) technology. By modulating the pulses of the laser in a LRF according to a predetermined library and by using a “divide-by-two” shutter pattern scheme applied to the DLP mirror'"'"'s field of view, a covert communication and targeting system can be utilized in the field as part of a lightweight, low cost system.

Claims

1. A system for covert targeting, comprising

a housing configured to surround a receiver comprising

a digital light processing (DLP) mirror array for redirecting a series of laser pulses reflected off a target of interest, wherein the DLP mirror array applies shutter patterns to create a series of modulated fields of view of the DLP mirror array;

and

a processor for determining, via a single element detector, if a pulse in the series of laser pulses was detected on each of the series of modulated fields of view of the DLP mirror array to determine the location of the target of interest; and

a display for presenting location information for the target of interest to an operator.

2. The system for covert targeting of claim 1, wherein the shutter patterns modulate the field of view of the DLP mirror array using a “

divide-by-two”

scheme.

3. The system for covert targeting of claim 1, wherein the display is remote from the processor.

4. The system for covert targeting of claim 1, further comprising a pulsed laser source having a modulator for producing the series of laser pulses.

5. The system for covert targeting of claim 1, further comprising a transceiver for communicating wirelessly.

6. The system for covert targeting of claim 4, wherein the transceiver transmits location information for the target of interest.

17. The method for covert communication of claim 1, further comprising a transceiver for communicating wirelessly.

7. A system for covert communication, comprising

a pulsed laser source having a modulator for producing a series of laser pulses, wherein said series of laser pulses are directed toward a target of interest;

and

a receiver, comprising

a DLP mirror array for redirecting a series of laser pulses reflected off the target of interest, wherein the DLP mirror array applies shutter patterns to create a series of modulated fields of view of the DLP mirror array; and

a processor for determining, via a single element detector, if a pulse in the series of laser pulses was detected on each of the series of modulated fields of view of the DLP mirror array to determine the location of the target of interest; and

a display for presenting location information for the target of interest to an operator.

8. The system for covert communication of claim 7, wherein the shutter patterns modulate the field of view of the DLP mirror array using a “

divide-by-two”

scheme.

9. The system for covert communication of claim 7, wherein the display is remote from the processor.

10. The system for covert communication of claim 7, further comprising a transceiver for communicating wirelessly.

11. A method of covert communication, comprising

providing to a first operator a first pulsed laser source having a modulator for producing a first series of laser pulses;

providing to a second operator a receiver, comprising,

a DLP mirror array for redirecting the first series of laser pulses reflected off a target of interest, wherein the DLP mirror array applies shutter patterns to create a series of modulated fields of view of the DLP mirror array; and

a processor for determining, via a single element detector, if a pulse in the series of first laser pulses was detected on each of the series of modulated fields of view of the DLP mirror array;

determining, with the processor, the location of the target of interest by comparing pulses that were detected in a first modulated field of view with pulses that were not detected in a different modulated field of view;

presenting to the second operator, on a display, location information for the target of interest; and

tagging by the first operator the target of interest by sending a first modulated series of laser pulses to the target.

12. The method of covert communication of claim 11, further comprising providing to the second operator a second pulsed laser source having a modulator for producing a second series of laser pulses.

13. The method of covert communication of claim 11, further comprising sending by the second operator a second modulated series of laser pulses to the first operator.

14. The method of covert communication of claim 11, wherein the shutter patterns modulate the field of view of the DLP mirror array using a “

divide-by-two”

scheme.

15. The method of covert communication of claim 11, wherein the display is remote from the processor.

16. The method of covert communication of claim 11, wherein the modulated series of laser pulses are created by modifying the pulse repetition interval (PRI) of a laser source in a pre-determined way.