You are here

Multi-Use Laser Sensors for Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: FA8650-12-M-1316
Agency Tracking Number: F112-143-2111
Amount: $150,000.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: AF112-143
Solicitation Number: 2011.2
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2011
Award Year: 2012
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2011-10-21
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
14540 NE 91st Street
Redmond, WA -
United States
DUNS: 086251469
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Roger Johnson
 Systems Engineer
 (425) 250-4089
 rogerj@bemeyers.com
Business Contact
 Bruce Runyard
Title: Contracts Manager
Phone: (425) 250-4012
Email: brucer@bemeyers.com
Research Institution
 Stub
Abstract

ABSTRACT: A subminiature laser sensor system operating at 1550 nm for use on micro-class unmanned air vehicles (UAV) is proposed. The system can be electronically reconfigured to function as a: laser designator, laser spot tracker, laser range finder and a proximity sensor. This modular system occupies less than 4 cubic inches and has a range of 0.5 km2.5 km in a slightly larger version. A passive Q-switched laser is used as the optical source. The high amount of pulse jitter of such lasers is reduced by more than an order of magnitude to acceptable levels through electronic and optical means. The reduced jitter is a result of rapid change of the laser cavity loss/gain, and causes Q-switching to occur at a precisely defined time. BENEFIT: An electronically configurable subminiature eye-safe Q-switched laser system (designator and/or rangefinder) will find wide use on micro-class UAVs in ISR environments. It"s small size, low cost and extreme ruggedness also allows it to be used in SWaP constrained applications other than UAVs. The 1550nm wavelength makes it safe for the war fighter and also allows it to be used in future civilian UAV environments. Such a flexible electro-optical system could also be integrated with small Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) to improve their detection/marking capabilities.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government