|
Thin Fast Steering Mirror (TFSM)
Navy SBIR FY2009.1
| Sol No.: |
Navy SBIR FY2009.1 |
| Topic No.: |
N091-087 |
| Topic Title: |
Thin Fast Steering Mirror (TFSM) |
| Proposal No.: |
N091-087-1564 |
| Firm: |
Applied Technology Associates
1300 Britt SE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123 |
| Contact: |
Felix Morgan |
| Phone: |
(505) 767-1275 |
| Web Site: |
http://www.aptec.com |
| Abstract: |
The Navy is developing LADAR sensors for responsive Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance use where ranges to targets exceed 10km. If such a LADAR sensor is to image a target area by scanning one or several laser beams at such long ranges, high-pointing-accuracy or knowledge, over a wide operational temperature range, is required to obtain a high-quality LADAR image. A two-axis Fast Steering Mirror (FSM) is typically utilized to steer laser beams in a LADAR system. Existing FSM designs that can achieve high pointing accuracy and are small enough for use aboard a tactical unmanned air vehicle often require significant settling times to achieve the pointing accuracy. Also, the knowledge of the location of the FSM (angularly) is not well-known throughout the mirror motion. When used to steer a pulsed laser beam with pulse repetition frequencies on the order of kilohertz, it is necessary to have accurate knowledge of the mirror position whenever a laser pulse occurs. ATA is proposing a concept for a thin FSM which can meet stringent performance requirements over a temperature range of-40 degrees C to +75 degrees C. This requires temperature control of the sensor electronics and uses an innovative actuator concept. |
| Benefits: |
The thin, fast steering mirror developed under this effort would have a direct commercial interest by Raytheon for their Fire Scout program. This mirror would also serve the needs of FLIR Systems Inc. for a 2" FSM for their commercial turret-mounted multi-sensor targeting image. Over the last 12 months ATA has gotten inquiries for a 2" FSM from five different organizations including the Air Force Research Laboratory, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Boeing SVS. |
Return
|