ES2251543T3

ES2251543T3 - PROCEDURE AND DEVICE FOR CAMOUFLATING A MILITARY OBJECTIVE.

Info

Publication number: ES2251543T3
Application number: ES02012598T
Authority: ES
Inventors: Joachim H. Dr. Kaiser
Original assignee: EADS Deutschland GmbH
Current assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
Priority date: 1999-09-09
Filing date: 2000-09-04
Publication date: 2006-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 2020-09-04
Also published as: EP1245920A3; EP1245920A2; DE50011833D1; ES2247995T3; EP1083400A3; DE19943186A1; EP1083400B1; EP1083400A2; EP1245920B1; DE50011612D1; DE19943186C2

Abstract

Procedimiento para camuflar un objetivo militar que presenta una superficie exterior de objetivo (1) antes del descubrimiento por un sensor (3) externo utilizando por lo menos una fuente de luz, en donde el objetivo se encuentra, respecto del sensor (3), delante de un fondo ambiental radiante, caracterizado por los siguientes pasos: - colocar la(s) fuente(s) de luz (2) de tal manera que queda iluminada la superficie exterior de objetivo (1), pero la(s) fuente(s) de luz (2) no es(son) visible(s) para el sensor (3) externo, - acoplar la luz en una capa de superficie (5) de material conductor de la luz situada sobre la superficie de objetivo (1) y desacoplar la luz sobre la cara exterior (6) de la capa de superficie (5) orientada hacia el sensor (3), - medir la densidad de radiación del fondo ambiental en dirección al sensor (3) externo, y - controlar la luminosidad de la(s) fuente(s) de luz (2) de manera que la densidad de radiación que parte de la superficie exterior de objetivo se corresponda lo mas exactamente posible con la densidad de radiación que parte del fondo ambiental.Procedure to camouflage a military target that has an outer surface of the target (1) before discovery by an external sensor (3) using at least one light source, where the target is located, relative to the sensor (3), in front of a radiant environmental background, characterized by the following steps: - place the light source (s) (2) in such a way that the outer surface of the lens (1) is illuminated, but the source (s) ) of light (2) is not (are) visible to the external sensor (3), - coupling the light to a surface layer (5) of light-conducting material located on the target surface (1) and decouple the light on the outer face (6) of the surface layer (5) facing the sensor (3), - measure the radiation density of the ambient background in the direction of the external sensor (3), and - control the brightness of the light source (s) (2) so that the radiation density that starts from the outer target surface is c match as accurately as possible with the radiation density that starts from the environmental background.

Description

Procedimiento y dispositivo para camuflar un objetivo militar.Procedure and device to camouflage a military target

El invento se refiere a procedimientos y a un dispositivo para camuflar un objetivo militar que presenta una superficie exterior de objetivo antes de su descubrimiento por un sensor externo utilizando por lo menos una fuente de luz, en donde el objetivo se encuentra, respecto del sensor, delante de un fondo ambiental radiante. El objetivo puede ser, por ejemplo, un vehículo, un barco o un objeto volador.The invention relates to procedures and a device to camouflage a military target that presents a outer surface of target before discovery by a external sensor using at least one light source, where the objective is, with respect to the sensor, in front of a background radiant ambient. The objective may be, for example, a vehicle, A ship or a flying object.

Por el documento DE 34 01 919 A1 se conoce un dispositivo para camuflar en el que una cámara filma el ambiente que se encuentra detrás del objeto a camuflar. Un control transmite correspondientes secciones de imagen del vehículo que va a ser camuflado a proyectores que estos proyectan nuevamente sobre una placa semitransparente para producir un efecto de camuflado. En una primera forma de construcción se proyecta la información del fondo ambiental por medio de proyectores internos sobre la superficie del objeto construida semitransparente. Utilizando proyectores adecuados se puede conseguir de esta forma un ajuste rápido, pero también variable en el espacio y en el tiempo, de la densidad de radiación que emite el objetivo. Con proyectores internos la superficie del objetivo debe permanecer semitransparente. Con proyectores internos solo se da una compatibilidad de forma condicionada con medidas para camuflar al radar porque entonces en la zona visible del espectro se necesitarían absorbedores semitransparentes al radar. Además este escrito no considera las zonas del espectro IR y UV muy importantes militarmente. Como alternativa se propone utilizar proyectores situados en el exterior. El proyector de camuflaje controlado por la cámara proyecta entonces sobre la superficie del objetivo la superficie del fondo ambiental filmada por la cámara que esta escondida a la vista del observador, simultanea en el tiempo y ajustada en tamaño. Los proyectores situados en el exterior están protegidos contra el ensuciamiento de su superficie exterior.From document DE 34 01 919 A1 a known camouflage device in which a camera films the environment that It is behind the object to camouflage. A control transmits corresponding sections of image of the vehicle that will be camouflaged to projectors that they project again on a semi-transparent plate to produce a camouflaged effect. In a first form of construction fund information is projected by means of internal projectors on the surface of the Semitransparent constructed object. Using appropriate projectors a quick adjustment can be achieved in this way, but also variable in space and time, of radiation density that emits the objective. With internal projectors the surface of the objective must remain semi-transparent. With internal projectors compatibility is only given conditionally with measures to camouflage the radar because then in the visible area of the spectrum you they would need semi-transparent radar absorbers. Also this writing does not consider the areas of the IR and UV spectrum very important militarily. As an alternative, it is proposed to use projectors located outside. The camouflage projector controlled by the camera then projects on the lens surface the surface of the environmental background filmed by the camera that is hidden in view of the observer, simultaneous in time and adjusted in size. The projectors located outside are protected against fouling of its outer surface.

Por el documento EP 0 361 661 A1 se conoce un dispositivo o un procedimiento en los que por medio de una capa fotoconductora se modifica la temperatura cromática de la radiación que se emite. La radiación que se emite viene determinada por el correspondiente estado de la capa fotoconductora.From EP 0 361 661 A1 a known device or procedure in which by means of a layer Photoconductor modifies the chromatic temperature of the radiation It is broadcast. The radiation emitted is determined by the corresponding state of the photoconductive layer.

Es misión del invento exponer un procedimiento y un dispositivo para camuflar superficies exteriores de un objetivo que permita confundir a sensores electro ópticos y mejora el estado de la técnica.It is the mission of the invention to expose a procedure and a device to camouflage outer surfaces of a lens that allows to confuse electro optical sensors and improves the state of technique

Esta misión será resuelta por las características de las reivindicaciones independientes. Otras formas constructivas están descritas en las reivindicaciones subordinadas relacionadas con aquella.This mission will be solved by the characteristics of the independent claims. Other constructive forms are described in the related subordinate claims with that one

De acuerdo con el invento, para el camuflaje se utiliza, en contraposición a los sensores electroópticos, una iluminación adecuada de la localización del objetivo en las zonas de la superficie (superficie de objetivo) visibles desde sensores externos. La iluminación se ajusta de manera que la densidad de radiación de la radiación óptica que parte desde el objetivo observado se corresponda lo más exactamente posible con la radiación que parte desde el fondo ambiente del objetivo.According to the invention, for camouflage, uses, as opposed to electro-optical sensors, a adequate lighting of the target location in the areas of the surface (target surface) visible from sensors external The lighting is adjusted so that the density of radiation of the optical radiation that starts from the target observed corresponds most exactly with radiation that starts from the ambient background of the objective.

El procedimiento para camuflar acorde con el invento comprende los siguientes pasos:The procedure to camouflage according to the invention comprises the following steps:

- colocar la(s) fuente(s) de luz de tal manera que queda iluminada la superficie exterior de objetivo, pero la(s) fuente(s) de luz no es (son) visibles para el sensor externo.- place the light source (s) of such that the outer surface of the target is illuminated, but the light source (s) is not (are) visible to The external sensor

- acoplar la luz en una capa de superficie exterior de un material conductor de la luz situada sobre la superficie exterior de objetivo y desacoplar la luz sobre la cara exterior de la capa de superficie orientada hacia el sensor,- couple the light on a surface layer exterior of a light conducting material located on the objective outer surface and decouple the light on the face outside of the surface layer facing the sensor,

- medir la densidad de radiación desde el fondo ambiental en dirección al sensor externo, y- measure the radiation density from the bottom environmental in the direction of the external sensor, and

- controlar la claridad de la(s) fuente(s) de luz de manera que la densidad de radiación que parte de superficie exterior de objetivo se corresponda lo mas exactamente posible con la densidad de radiación que parte del fondo ambiental.- control the clarity of the (s) light source (s) so that the radiation density that part of the outer surface of the target corresponds to the most exactly possible with the radiation density that starts from the bottom environmental.

El dispositivo para camuflar acorde con el invento es también un dispositivo de camuflaje con por lo menos una fuente de luz en el queThe camouflage device according to the invention is also a camouflage device with at least one light source in which

- la fuente de luz está situada como fuente de luz (2) externa para la iluminación de la superficie exterior de objetivo (1),- the light source is located as a source of external light (2) for the illumination of the outer surface of objective (1),

- la superficie exterior de objetivo (1) presenta una capa de superficie (5) de un material conductor de la luz, la cual está ajustada para conducir la luz de la(s) fuente(s) de luz acoplada(s) con ella y para desacoplar la luz de la cara exterior (6) de la capa de superficie exterior (1) de objetivo orientada hacia el sensor (3),- the objective outer surface (1) presents a surface layer (5) of a light conducting material, the which is adjusted to drive the light of the (s) light source (s) coupled with it and for decouple the light from the outer face (6) of the surface layer exterior (1) of lens oriented towards the sensor (3),

- está previsto un dispositivo de comparación para realizar una comparación entre la densidad de radiación medida del fondo ambiental y la densidad de radiación que parte del objetivo hacia el sensor (3) externo, y un dispositivo de control para controlar la intensidad de luz de la(s) fuente(s) de luz externa(s) (2) dependiendo de la comparación realizada.- a comparison device is provided to make a comparison between the measured radiation density of the environmental background and the radiation density that starts from the objective towards the external sensor (3), and a control device to control the light intensity of the source (s) external light (s) (2) depending on the comparison done.

Las ventajas especiales de la solución acorde con el invento hay que contemplarlas en que debido al cambio de frecuencia de la luz emitida por la(s) fuente(s) de luz, al que habitualmente no reaccionan los sensores de búsqueda, queda excluido el descubrimiento del objetivo. Además es posible también engañar a sensores de espectro múltiple. En otra configuración del invento debe ser posible alimentar al objetivo tanto desde el exterior como también en la zona de la capa de la superficie exterior con la luz necesaria para el camuflaje.The special advantages of the solution according to the invention must be contemplated in that due to the change of frequency of the light emitted by the source (s) of light, to which search sensors usually do not react, the discovery of the objective is excluded. It is also possible also fool multiple spectrum sensors. In other configuration of the invention should be possible to feed the target both from the outside and also in the area of the layer of the outer surface with the necessary light for camouflage.

A continuación se describe el invento con mas detalle sobre la base de la figura, la cual muestra de manera esquemática un ejemplo constructivo del mismo con fuentes de luz integradas.The invention is described below with more detail based on the figure, which shows so schematic a constructive example of it with light sources integrated.

En la figura se muestra una parte de la superficie exterior de objetivo 1 de un objetivo no determinado con mas detalle. En lugares adecuados de la superficie exterior de objetivo 1 que dependen del objetivo existen varias fuentes de luz 2. La disposición se realiza preferentemente de tal manera que las fuentes de luz 2 no son visibles directamente desde la zona en la que se espera una observación con sensores 3 externos. La solución representada en la figura proporciona remedio para los casos en que condicionadas por el tipo constructivo del objetivo las fuentes de luz no pueden ser situadas en los lugares que sean invisibles para el sensor 3. El recubrimiento 5 de la superficie de objetivo tiene una construcción conductora de la luz. La alimentación de la luz que se va a emitir se realiza indirectamente bien por acoplamiento desde el interior a través de la estructura exterior del objetivo o lateralmente, como esta representado en la figura. El desacoplamiento de la luz necesario para engañar al sensor 3 se realiza o desde lugares discretos 6 o repartidos superficialmente por la cara exterior de la capa de superficie exterior 5 orientada hacia el sensor 3. Como fuentes de luz pueden servir por ejemplo diodos luminosos de gran superficie construidos de polímeros fotoeléctricos. Para la capa de superficie exterior son adecuados materiales como láminas electroluminiscentes o de forma especial mantas de fibras conductoras de la luz. Estas ultimas se destacan por su tolerancia a las medidas de camuflaje al radar.The figure shows a part of the outer surface of objective 1 of an undetermined objective with more detail In suitable places on the outer surface of objective 1 that depend on the objective there are several light sources 2. The arrangement is preferably carried out in such a way that the Light sources 2 are not visible directly from the area in the An observation with external sensors 3 is expected. The solution represented in the figure provides remedy for cases in which conditioned by the constructive type of the objective the sources of light cannot be placed in places that are invisible to the sensor 3. The coating 5 of the target surface has a conductive construction of light. Light feed to be issued is done indirectly well by coupling from the inside through the outer structure of the objective or laterally, as shown in the figure. He decoupling of the light necessary to deceive sensor 3 is performs or from discrete places 6 or distributed superficially on the outer face of the outer surface layer 5 oriented towards sensor 3. As light sources they can serve for example large surface light diodes constructed of polymers Photoelectric For the outer surface layer are suitable materials such as electroluminescent sheets or specially shaped blankets of light-conducting fibers. The latter stand out for its tolerance to camouflage radar measurements.

Mediante sensores de a bordo adecuados que están colocados en la cara orientada hacia el fondo ambiental, se mide la densidad de radiación del fondo ambiental. Además se calcula la densidad de radiación que parte del propio objetivo. La comparación de ambos valores lleva a un valor de control para la luminosidad de las fuentes de luz 2 que iluminan al objetivoThrough suitable on-board sensors that are placed on the face facing the environmental background, the radiation density of the environmental background. In addition the radiation density that starts from the objective itself. The comparison of both values leads to a control value for the brightness of light sources 2 that illuminate the target

Para determinar las posiciones de la fuente de luz 2 debe tenerse en cuenta la particular dirección de observación principalmente esperada del sensor 3 sobre el objetivo. Así por ejemplo no se presenta una iluminación de la cara superior de un aparato volador en el caso de una observación supuesta con sensores de suelo. Si partes de la superficie de objetivo 1 que se esperan que pueden ser observadas por el sensor 3 solo pueden ser iluminadas con dificultad entonces debe valorarse el correspondiente tamaño de la superficie en relación con la superficie exterior de objetivo 1 total.To determine the positions of the source of light 2 must take into account the particular direction of observation Mainly expected from sensor 3 on the target. So by example there is no lighting of the upper face of a flying apparatus in the case of an alleged observation with sensors of soil. If parts of the target surface 1 are expected that can be observed by sensor 3 can only be illuminated with difficulty then the corresponding size of the surface in relation to the outer surface of objective 1 total.

Para utilizar el invento en el campo de la radiación infrarroja primeramente hay que llevar la densidad de radiación emitida por la superficie de objetivo, mediante enfriamiento y aislamiento térmico, hasta debajo de la menor densidad de radiación del fondo ambiente esperada. Entonces, por medio de la iluminación con las correspondientes fuentes de luz infrarrojas la superficie exterior de objetivo 1 puede ser adaptada en todas las situaciones al fondo ambiental infrarrojo. Este tipo de camuflaje infrarrojo utiliza la ventaja del control de temperatura por lo que respecta a la gran flexibilidad y rápida variación de la densidad de radiación. Si se utilizan fuentes de luz en el suelo es también activo en el caso de que la superficie exterior de objetivo se ensucie.To use the invention in the field of infrared radiation first you have to carry the density of radiation emitted by the target surface, by cooling and thermal insulation, down to the lowest expected ambient background radiation density. So for lighting medium with corresponding light sources infrared the outer surface of objective 1 can be adapted in all situations to the infrared environmental background. This type of Infrared camouflage uses the advantage of temperature control as regards the great flexibility and rapid variation of the radiation density If you use light sources on the floor it is also active in the event that the outer surface of the target get dirty.

Si la medida de camuflaje debe ser activa no solo para un pequeño intervalo de longitudes de onda, entonces hay que utilizar las correspondientes fuentes de luz de banda ancha o multifrecuencia. Los sensores propios de a bordo necesarios para calcular la magnitud de ajuste para la intensidad de iluminación deben estar construidos igualmente multicolores o de amplio espectro. Un equipamiento de este tipo es necesario cuando por ejemplo el sensor 3 observador utiliza dos gamas de radiación infrarroja o adicionalmente emplea sensores ultravioleta para aumentar la seguridad de detección.If the camouflage measure must be active not only for a small range of wavelengths, then you have to use the corresponding broadband light sources or multifrequency The on-board sensors necessary for calculate the magnitude of adjustment for lighting intensity they must be built equally multicolored or wide spectrum. Such equipment is necessary when example the observer sensor 3 uses two ranges of radiation infrared or additionally uses ultraviolet sensors to Increase detection security.

La iluminación de la superficie de objetivo puede ser utilizada también en unión de diafragmas regulables para la generación de muestras que junto con el control de la luminosidad pueden ser también modificadas en el espacio y en el tiempo. De esta manera se pueden imitar muestras de fondo ambiental para dificultar al sensor 3 la localización del objetivo, Además existe la posibilidad de confundir a los algoritmos de calculo de los sensores. Si por ejemplo, un cohete se acerca mucho al objetivo detectado, el campo de visión del cabezal de búsqueda infrarroja del cohete se limita generalmente a la superficie del objetivo. En esta situación se puede generar una mancha de luz significativa para el sensor 3 que en la fase final del acercamiento es llevada de tal forma por la superficie del objetivo que el cohete -siguiéndola- pasará de largo del objetivo. Un guiado adecuado de la mancha de luz significativa es un movimiento fuertemente acelerado transversal a la dirección de aproximación del cohete hasta el borde de la proyección del objetivo vista desde el sensor 3 del cohete.The illumination of the target surface can also be used in conjunction with adjustable diaphragms for sample generation that together with the brightness control They can also be modified in space and time. This way environmental background samples can be imitated to make it difficult to sensor 3 the location of the target, In addition there is the possibility of confusing algorithms for calculating sensors If, for example, a rocket is very close to the target detected, the field of view of the infrared search head of the rocket is usually limited to the surface of the target. In this situation can generate a significant light spot for the sensor 3 which in the final phase of the approach is carried in such form by the surface of the target that the rocket -following- will pass the target. Proper guidance of the light spot significant is a strongly accelerated movement transverse to the approach direction of the rocket to the edge of the projection of the target seen from the rocket sensor 3.

Claims

1. Procedure to camouflage a military target that has an outer surface of the target (1) before discovery by an external sensor (3) using at least one light source, where the target is located, relative to the sensor (3) , in front of a radiant environmental background, characterized by the following steps:

- place the light source (s) (2) in such a way that the outer surface of objective (1), but the light source (s) (2) does not is (are) visible (s) to the external sensor (3),

- couple the light on a surface layer (5) of light conducting material located on the target surface (1) and decouple the light on the outer face (6) of the layer of surface (5) facing the sensor (3),

- measure the background radiation density environmental in the direction of the external sensor (3), and

- control the brightness of the (s) light source (s) (2) so that the radiation density that part of the outer target surface corresponds to what more exactly possible with the radiation density that starts from the environmental background

2. Method for camouflaging according to claim 1, characterized in that for camouflaging with respect to an external sensor working in the range of infrared radiation the density of radiation emitted by the outer surface of the target (1) is brought to below the lower expected radiation density of the environmental background by cooling and thermal insulation of the outer target surface (1).

Method for camouflaging according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that broadband or multifrequency light sources (2) are used, in which to calculate the magnitude of regulation for the brightness control of the source (s) ) of light (2) sensors that work with multicolored or broad spectrum are used.

Method for camouflaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light coupling is carried out laterally or from the face of the objective outer surface (1) in the surface layer (5) that is away from the sensor (3) .

Method for camouflaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the decoupling of the light is carried out in discrete places of the target surface (1) with the aid of diaphragms so that the radiation of the decoupled light is locally influenced in a way determined.

Method for camouflaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that by means of external light sources (2) at least one significant spot of light is generated on the surface (1) of the objective and this is guided with an accelerated movement. on the target surface such that the sensor (3) passes the lens.

Method for camouflaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the decoupling of the light occurs superficially distributed on the outer face of the outer surface layer (5).

Method for camouflaging according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the decoupling of the light occurs in discrete places (6) of the outer face of the outer surface layer (1).

9. Method for camouflaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that large surface luminescent diodes made of photoelectric polymers are used for decoupling the light.

10. Device for camouflaging a military objective with an outer surface of objective (1) for camouflage before discovery by an external sensor (3) by using at least one light source, where the objective is in relation to the sensor (3) in front of a radiant environmental background, characterized in that

- the light source is placed as a source of external light (2) to illuminate the outer surface of the target (one),

- the objective outer surface (1) presents an outer surface layer (5) of a conductive material of the light, which is adjusted to drive the light of the light (s) light source (s) coupled to it and to decouple the light of the outer face (6) of the outer surface layer (1) oriented towards the sensor (3),

- a comparison device is provided to make a comparison between the measured radiation density of the environmental background and the radiation density that starts from the objective towards the external sensor (3), and a control device to control the light intensity of the source (s) external light (s) (2) depending on the comparison done.

11. A camouflage device according to claim 10, characterized in that a device for cooling and thermally insulating the outer target surface (1) is provided to camouflage in the infrared zone to decrease the radiation density emitted by the outer target surface (1 ).

12. Camouflage device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the light source (s) (2) is (are) broadband or multifrequency light source (s), and the sensors for The lighting brightness control are sensors that work by multicolored or broad spectrum.

13. Device for camouflaging according to one of the preceding claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the light source (s) (2) is located frontally with respect to the outer surface layer (5) or on the face of the objective outer surface (1) away from the sensor (3).

14. Camouflage device according to one of the preceding claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the decoupling of the light from the outer surface layer (5) is carried out with adjustable diaphragms located in discrete places.

15. Device for camouflaging according to one of the preceding claims 10 to 14, characterized in that large surface light diodes made of photoelectric polymers are used for decoupling the light.

16. Camouflage device of the preceding claims 10 to 15, characterized in that at least one blanket of light-conducting fibers is provided in the outer surface layer (5).

17. Device for camouflaging according to one of the preceding claims 10 to 16, characterized in that electroluminescent sheets are used for decoupling the light.