Optical line of sight pointing and stabilization system

• US 20020145102A1
• Filed: 04/09/2001
• Published: 10/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: A Tech LLC
• Original Assignee: Tech Corporation Company Limited
• Inventors: Sebesta, Henry R., Eckelkamp-Baker, Dan
• Granted Patent: US 6,653,611 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/203.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/002 Active optical surveying means optical plumbing G01C15/105
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/646 compensating for small deviations, e.g. due to vibration or shake movement of one or more optical elements for control of motion blur in cameras, projectors or printers G03B2205/0007; image stabilisation in cameras peculiar to the presence or use of an electronic image sensor H04N23/68

Abstract

A system for stabilizing an optical line of sight. An optical system including primary optics and relay optics includes a jitter rejection mirror located within the path of the relay optics. An auto alignment system is provided for maintaining alignment of the jitter rejection mirror in response to a control signal. An auto alignment sensor detects jitter in a reference beam passing through the jitter rejection mirror, and the generated control signal is used to reduce the jitter. The reference beam is supplied by a stabilized source of laser signals which are received by the primary optics, and relayed to the jitter rejection mirror.

Claims

1. A system for stabilizing an optical line of sight comprising:

an optical system including primary optics and relay optics;

a jitter rejection mirror located in the path of said relay optics;

a jitter reaction system for maintaining alignment of said jitter rejection mirror in response to a control signal;

an auto alignment sensor for detecting jitter in a laser reflecting from said jitter rejection mirror, and generating a control signal for said jitter rejection system for reducing said jitter; and

a stabilized source of reference laser which is received by said primary optics and relayed to said jitter rejection mirror and to said auto alignment sensor, whereby an optical system jitter error signal is produced for controlling said jitter rejection system.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein said stabilized source of laser signals is supported on a gimbaled platform which is controlled to stabilize said source of laser signals.

3. The system according to claim 1 further comprising:

mirror optics for separating an image incident to said jitter rejection mirror from said laser signals incident to said jitter rejection mirror.

4. The system according to claim 1 further comprising:

a source of laser energy directed to said optical system for producing a radiant lasing beam which is substantially jitter free.

5. The system according to claim 1 further comprising:

a mirror for separating an image in said relay optics from said reference laser beam; and

an imaging camera positioned to receive an image from said mirror.

6. The system according to claim 1 wherein said primary optics includes a subreflector.

9. The system for stabilizing according to claim 1 wherein said auto alignment sensor senses the deviation of said laser radiation from an optical boresight of said optical system.

10. The system for stabilizing according to claim 1 wherein said auto alignment sensor, jitter rejection mirror and said optical system share a common optical axis.

11. The system for stabilizing according to claim 2 wherein said stabilized source is mounted to the platform containing said optical system, and produces an error signal proportional to the difference between its optical axis and a desired optical axis of said optical system.

12. The system for stabilizing according to claim 11 wherein said, platform containing said optical system is supported on a servo controlled platform and is positionable with respect to said error signal whereby said optical system pointing direction is controlled by the pointing direction of said stabilized source of laser radiation.

7. A stabilized source of laser signals for providing a reference line of sight for an optical system comprising:

a platform supported by a gimbal system;

a plurality of sensors for detecting the inertial motion of said platform;

a plurality of actuators connected to displace said platform position; and

a controller connected to said sensors and said actuators for displacing said platform in a direction to cancel vibration incident to said platform.

8. The stabilized source of laser radiation according to claim 7 wherein said sensors include both low frequency and high frequency detectors having a blended output wherein a wideband signal is produced representing said inertial motion of said platform.