Laser Threat, Compact Alert Module

Compact, low-cost laser warning systems are in high demand for military, commercial, and battlespace platforms as lasers become more prevalent in tactical weapon systems. Present laser warning systems (LWS) are bulky when all features are integrated as a complete laser profiling analysis system. Critical elements that are difficult to integrate in military systems are the determination of the specific wavelength of the target source in conjunction with an accurate determination of the angle of arrival (AoA). Present systems with high wavelength resolution are not compact, require bulky dispersive or multi-sensor elements, do not possess fast data collection times, or have optics/detectors that are too expensive to warrant high volume implementation. To address the need for a compact, low-cost LWS, new techniques must be brought to bear on the optics, spectral sensing and packaging aspects of a LWS. Nanohmics will fabricate a laser threat detection system that identifies, in real-time, the angle of arrival and spectral properties of laser threats in a compact device package. The detection platform will consist of a custom low-profile optical assembly with a field-of-view that extends beyond one hemisphere, mapping the angle of arrival of the threat onto a low-cost CMOS image sensor that possesses a custom color filter mosaic for wavelength and intensity characterization.