Patent Description:
Seeking systems of laser guided ammunition provide guidance by sensors detecting reflected laser energy from a designated static or moving target. In certain conditions, laser guided ammunition is fired by lock on to its target before (LOBL) or after being launched (LOAL). Due to the complexity of the seeking system of the laser guided ammunition, a mobile handheld test device is used in design verification or field tests. The test device essentially comprises a laser source, a power supply, a controller configuring the driver of a laser source arranged such that a wave transmission part emits a laser pulse at a desired pulse repetition frequency (PRF) or a pulse interval modulation (PIM).

<CIT> patent publication discloses a pulsed laser simulator to test a seeker part of a laser guided missile. The simulator mimics the reflection of a pulsed laser beam from a target. The simulator has a low power IR emitting LED. This IR emitting LED is pulsed by an energy storing capacitor. The pulse is controlled by an SCR driven by a pulse repetition oscillator. A collimating lens collects light from the IR emitting LED and directs it to the seeker. When being self-tested, IR from the IR emitting LED is reflected by a mirror onto a detector. The output of the detector is passed through a high pass filter. This removes signals from IR noise sources (fluorescent bulbs, the sun, incandescent bulbs), and passes only signals from the IR emitting LED. A first buffer, preferably an amplifier, provides power between the high pass filter and the gate of a second SCR. This second SCR drives a visible light LED through a second buffer. The visible light LED acts as a positive self-test indication. Additional buffers, preferably of unity gain, are preferably provided to drive the pulse repetition oscillator and the high pass filter.

Object of the invention is providing operational and functional testing of the laser guided tracking and target acquisition warfare.

Another object of the invention is real like simulation of laser guided seeker head of ammunition by means of a mobile handheld laser source simulator.

In order to achieve above objective, invention is a mobile handheld laser source simulator for a laser seeking ammunition head comprising a LED light source configured to emit light in IR wavelength in a firing mode; an oscillator driving the LED light source in a predefined pulse repetition frequency; an electronic control unit connected to the oscillator in a signal transmitting manner and a casing having an output from which an infra-red light in the pulse repetition frequency is radiated from the LED light source. Invention comprises an output energy magnitude controller is configuring the LED light source to radiate a short magnitude reflection pulse and a subsequent higher magnitude target pulse at the predefined pulse repetition frequency by means of the electronic control unit in a firing mode. The output magnitude controller, set by the electronic control unit, emit for example <NUM> sequential pulses. One of the pulses with short magnitude simulate scattering by reflection of target marker returning signal. Subsequent target pulse has relatively higher magnitude. Therefore, the target pulse simulates the pulse reflecting from the target pointed by the laser marker. Oscillator, communicate with the electronic control unit to provide infrared light emittance in accordance with the corresponding pulse repetition frequency. Infrared light emitted reach to the seeker head simulating both scattering and the target allow control whether the seeker head acquire target.

In a preferred embodiment, a setting element is provided on the casing to data input as a value of a pulse repetition frequency time (td) and/or magnitude and providing corresponding transmission of signals to the electronic control unit. Setting element allows entry of the inputs for infrared light radiation parameters from the casing in accordance with laser seeker head configuration. This embodiment allows adaptation of the laser source simulator device with different type of laser seeker heads or different configurations of the same laser seeker head.

In a preferred embodiment, the casing further comprises a support body surrounding the electronic control unit and a head part is removably mounted to the support body having an output at the tip in which LED light source is adapted. The head part can have different type of LED light source configurations. For example, multiple LED circuits are arranged side-by-side or adjacent in a head part. Such a head part allows sequential use of LED lights in a pulse repetition frequency to simulate a moving target. Additionally, if a LED unit is malfunctioning it is possible to remove the head part to replace it with another head part with a new LED unit.

In a preferred embodiment, a socket element is provided between the head part and the electronic control unit is engaged to the LED light source in an electrical signal transmitting manner when mounted. Socket elements provide easy connection of the head part with LED light source and the electronic control unit in an electrical signal transmitting manner.

In a preferred embodiment, the linear guiding element is provided between the head part and the casing. The head part can be mounted to the casing with a simple push movement. The head part is precisely aligned with the casing during the push movement.

In a preferred embodiment, the electronic control unit is a processor integrated with the oscillator. The integrated circuit board inside the casing allows a compact design.

In a preferred embodiment, a firing element is provided on the casing and in a manner that electronic control unit drives the LED light source in the firing mode when triggered. When the firing element is pressed over the casing, the device switch to the firing mode and oscillator is driven by the electronic control unit allowing radiation of infrared light in predefined pulse repetition frequency.

In a preferred embodiment, the electronic control unit drives the LED light source such that generating multiple wave pairs comprising a target pulse and at least one reflection pulse. Sequential pulse pairs simulate scattering. It is therefore possible to understand if the laser seeker head differentiate the target among the scattering. Sequential pulse pairs may be transmitted for a certain period of time or in a string, e.g., <NUM> pulse subsequent string.

In a preferred embodiment, wherein the magnitude of the target pulse is equal to at least <NUM>,<NUM> times more than the magnitude of the reflection pulse. Therefore, a magnitude difference above threshold defined by the magnitude difference between the scattering and target is interpreted by the target acquisition by the electronic control system of the laser seeker head.

In a preferred embodiment, the electronic control unit set the wavelength of the reflection pulse and target pulse is radiated from the LED light source between <NUM> to <NUM>. This value allows transmission of infrared light in a magnitude above a sea level reflection threshold.

In a preferred embodiment, a battery is disposed inside the casing and is adapted to provide energy to the electronic control unit. Battery allows electronic control unit to be operated and infrared light radiation from a sufficient distance, e.g. <NUM> meters or above between LED light source and laser seeker head.

In a preferred embodiment, a pulse status indicator is provided on the casing and emits a perceivable signal, preferably a light in a visible wavelength, while the LED light source radiates. Pulse status indicator allow determination of working status of the device in fire mode. In a possible embodiment, signal can be audible or tactile.

While subject matter invention is described in detail with reference to the embodiments, it is not limiting the true scope of the invention.

In <FIG>, an exemplary embodiment of subject matter laser source simulator is given from a top view. A casing (<NUM>) is adapted in a remote-control size such that a user can handle ergonomically. A rectangular display (<NUM>) equipped with e-ink technology to save energy is provided at the front side of the casing (<NUM>). A setting element (<NUM>) is arranged at the bottom section of the display (<NUM>). Setting elements (<NUM>) are provided in four pieces which are neighboring and distant from each other. Each one of the setting elements (<NUM>) allow setting a single digit by rotation. Arrowhead shaped selection buttons (<NUM>) opposing each other are disposed at the bottom of the setting elements (<NUM>). The selection buttons (<NUM>) have a central round formed confirmation button in the middle. A firing element (<NUM>) in form of a button is provided at the bottom of the selection buttons (<NUM>). An on-off button (<NUM>) is disposed at the side edge of the casing (<NUM>).

In <FIG>, laser source simulator is shown from the rear side. The casing (<NUM>) comprises a support body (<NUM>) and a head part (<NUM>) removably mounted at the tip thereof. The head part (<NUM>) received by a corresponding recess (<NUM>) is secured to the support body (<NUM>) by means of a screw. A battery (<NUM>) is provided inside the rear part of the support body (<NUM>) accessed by removing a lid (<NUM>) by using a tab (<NUM>). The battery (<NUM>) consists of a <NUM> volts changeable cell.

In <FIG>, various head part (<NUM>) embodiments are shown in perspective view. In <FIG>, the head part (<NUM>) exhibits a LED driver card (<NUM>) and an IR emitting LED light source (<NUM>). The head part (<NUM>) is having a socket (<NUM>) connected to the LED driver card (<NUM>) from the back. Sockets (<NUM>) are flat and has electrically conductive stripes. A box-like housing (<NUM>) support both LED driver card (<NUM>) and LED light source (<NUM>) engaged thereon. The housing (<NUM>) has a guiding element (<NUM>) in a channel form in both opposing sides. The guiding element (<NUM>) allow horizontal aligned movement of the head part (<NUM>) into the recess (<NUM>) when the head part (<NUM>) is mounted to the recess (<NUM>). LED light source (<NUM>) is has an integrated lens. In a possible embodiment, the lens can be supported by an auxiliary lens. In <FIG>, the head parts (<NUM>) adapted to connect with BNC type connector to the output (<NUM>) opening is shown. The connector allow remote control of the laser source simulator by means of a corresponding connection element (not shown).

In <FIG>, laser source simulator shown from a perspective view. The firing element (<NUM>) is bulging outwardly and in a form of a push element. The display (<NUM>), setting elements (<NUM>), selection buttons (<NUM>), firing element (<NUM>) and pulse status indicator (<NUM>) are connected each other with a circuit board (<NUM>) surrounded by the support body (<NUM>). The circuit board (<NUM>) is schematically shown in <FIG>. A similar circuit board (<NUM>) and working principle thereof is explained by <CIT>. The circuit board (<NUM>) is in integrated form. A processor (<NUM>) and an oscillator (<NUM>) and a memory unit connected in an electrical signal transmitting manner compose an electronic control unit (<NUM>) together. The electrical control unit (<NUM>) is in connection with an output energy magnitude controller (<NUM>) in an electrical signal transmitting manner. The output energy magnitude controller (<NUM>) drive LED driving card (<NUM>) coupled to the socket (<NUM>) when the head part (<NUM>) is mounted.

In <FIG>, a frequency diagram aimed to be obtained with the laser source simulator is shown. A user selects a suitable head part (<NUM>) (e.g. connector, multiple LED etc.) and set inside the recess (<NUM>). Socket (<NUM>) is engaged with the circuit card (<NUM>). Electrical control unit (<NUM>) is energized by battery (<NUM>) when the user presses the on-off button (<NUM>). Pulse repetition frequency is configured with a suitable key value (etc. NATO STANAG <NUM>-<NUM> code) from the display (<NUM>) is selected with the setting elements (<NUM>). Moreover, by means of a user interface on the display (<NUM>) the parameters like pulse repetition interval time, intensity, number of pulses are set accordingly, stored in the memory module or settings can be restored. Electronic control unit (<NUM>) initiate output energy magnitude controller (<NUM>) according to the predefined parameters and drive the LED driver card (<NUM>) with it by triggering firing element (<NUM>). The output energy magnitude controller (<NUM>) set LED driver card (<NUM>) with the energy provided by the battery (<NUM>) to emit IR pulses with a short magnitude value reflection pulse (w1) and subsequent and wide target pulse (w2) generating IR pulses. Meanwhile, output (<NUM>) is directed to the laser seeker head (not shown) and reflection and target pulses (w1, w2) with different magnitudes are emitted according to the pulse repetition time (td) and pulse repetition frequency (fn) settings.

Claim 1:
A mobile handheld laser source simulator for a laser seeking ammunition head, comprising a LED light source (<NUM>) configured to emit light in IR wavelength in a firing mode; an oscillator (<NUM>) driving the LED light source (<NUM>) in a predefined pulse repetition frequency (fn); an electronic control unit (<NUM>) connected to the oscillator (<NUM>) in a signal transmitting manner and a casing (<NUM>) having an output (<NUM>) from which an infra-red light in the pulse repetition frequency (fn) is radiated from the LED light source (<NUM>) characterized in that an output energy magnitude controller (<NUM>) is configuring the LED light source (<NUM>) to radiate a short magnitude reflection pulse (w1) and a subsequent higher magnitude target pulse (w2) at the predefined pulse repetition frequency by means of the electronic control unit (<NUM>) in a firing mode.