JP2021038886A - Laser irradiation device and laser irradiation system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a laser irradiation device capable of obstructing threat of motion in a short time.SOLUTION: A laser irradiation device 100 is provided with: a high output laser source 31 generating a laser beam; a system controller 10 instructing a focal point of the laser beam based on angular information of an azimuth angle and an elevation angle indicating existence of an object to be an object of a target using the laser beam and distance information indicating distance to the object; and a laser directional device 50 controlling the focal point based on the instruction from the system controller 10 to irradiate the laser beam, where the laser directional device 50 has a function to break down atmospheric air at the focal point by irradiating the laser beam to the focal point at a position apart from the object to counter the object with a shock wave mode propagating to the object a shock wave generated upon breaking down the atmospheric air.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a laser irradiation device and a laser irradiation system that irradiate laser light.

A high-power laser (hereinafter referred to as HEL) system is one of the melting devices for melting an object such as a flying object by using a laser beam. The HEL system of Patent Document 1 is a system that heats a threat by generating a high-power laser beam and irradiating the threat such as a flying object with the high-power laser light. The materials used in the threat are melted or thermally expanded and destroyed by being heated by high-power laser light. As a result, the HEL system can reduce the performance of the threat, thereby interfering with the operation of the threat and protecting the protection target from the threat.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0282942

However, since the HEL system of Patent Document 1 needs to continuously irradiate high-power laser light until the threat is melted or the like, it takes a long time to deal with heating for each threat. When there are three threats, a first threat, a second threat, and a third threat, the HEL system of Patent Document 1 heats the first threat, and then heats the second threat. Finally, heat up the third threat. In this case, if it takes a long time to deal with the heating of the first threat, the second threat or the third threat may reach the protection target before being heated. In addition, even if there is only one threat, if the distance between the threat and the protected object is short, the heating measures may not be in time and the threat may reach the protected object before it is melted or the like. .. As described above, since the HEL system of Patent Document 1 takes a long time to interfere with the threat, it may not be possible to interfere with the operation of the threat against the threat under the condition exceeding the heat treatment ability.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a laser irradiation device capable of interfering with the operation of a threat in a short time.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the laser irradiation device of the present invention has a laser light source that generates laser light, and an azimuth angle and elevation in which an object to be dealt with by using the laser light exists. Based on the angle information indicating the angle and the distance information indicating the distance to the object, the system control device that indicates the focal position of the laser beam and the system control device that indicates the focal position are controlled based on the instruction from the system control device. It includes a laser-directed device that irradiates a laser beam. The laser directing device is a shock wave mode in which the atmosphere at the focal position is dielectrically broken down by irradiating the focal position, which is a position away from the object, and the shock wave generated at the time of dielectric breakdown is propagated to the object. Has a function to deal with.

According to the present invention, there is an effect that the operation of the threat can be disturbed in a short time.

The figure which shows the structure of the laser irradiation apparatus which concerns on embodiment A flowchart showing an operating procedure of the laser irradiation device according to the embodiment. Flow chart showing the operation procedure of the heating mode by the laser irradiation device according to the embodiment A flowchart showing an operation procedure of the shock wave mode by the laser irradiation device according to the embodiment. The figure for demonstrating the process at the time of performing the coping of the heating mode with two laser irradiation apparatus which concerns on embodiment. The figure for demonstrating the process at the time of performing the coping of the shock wave mode with two laser irradiation apparatus which concerns on embodiment. The figure for demonstrating the process at the time of performing the coping of the shock wave mode with three laser irradiation apparatus which concerns on embodiment. The figure which shows the 1st example of the hardware composition which realizes the signal processing part provided in the laser irradiation apparatus which concerns on embodiment. The figure which shows the 2nd example of the hardware composition which realizes the signal processing part provided in the laser irradiation apparatus which concerns on embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the laser irradiation device and the laser irradiation system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

Embodiment.
<Construction of laser irradiation device>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a laser irradiation device according to an embodiment. The laser irradiation device 100 is a device that uses high-power laser light to generate a shock wave in the vicinity of a threat. In addition, the laser irradiation device 100 can irradiate a threat with high-power laser light. Threats are objects that can be addressed using high-power laser light. Examples of threats are flying objects such as drones, aircraft, and missiles. The threat may be an organism such as an insect or a bird. The threat is not limited to a moving object, but may be a stationary object or an object that moves while temporarily stopping. The laser irradiation device 100 includes a system control device 10, a high-power laser device 30, and a laser directing device 50. The system control device 10 is connected to the high-power laser device 30 and the laser directing device 50.

The system control device 10 controls the high-power laser device 30 and the laser directing device 50. The high-power laser device 30 outputs high-power laser light to the laser-directed device 50. The high-power laser light is a high-power laser light having an energy density higher than a specific value. The laser directivity device 50 irradiates a high-power laser beam in a directivity direction based on an instruction from the system control device 10.

The laser directing device 50 insulates the atmosphere at the first focal position by irradiating the first focal position around the threat with high-power laser light, and propagates the shock wave generated at the time of the dielectric breakdown to the threat. It has a function to deal with threats in shock wave mode. Further, the laser directing device 50 has a function of dealing with the threat in a heating mode in which the threat is heated by irradiating the threat with high-power laser light. Details of the shock wave mode and the heating mode will be described later.

The laser directing device 50 includes a sensor head portion 51 and a gimbal 52 as hardware. The gimbal 52 is connected to the sensor head portion 51. The gimbal 52 can be driven in the azimuth direction and the depression / elevation angle direction, and rotates the sensor head portion 51 in the azimuth angle direction and the depression / elevation angle direction.

The sensor head unit 51 includes an irradiation optical unit 53, a distance measuring unit 54, and an imaging unit 55. The irradiation optical unit 53 shapes the high-power laser beam generated by the high-power laser device 30 and adjusts the focal position before irradiating the threat.

The irradiation optical unit 53 includes a high-power laser optical system 56 and a focus controller 57 as hardware. The high-power laser optical system 56 shapes and irradiates the high-power laser light generated by the high-power laser device 30. The focus controller 57 adjusts the focal position for condensing the high-power laser light emitted by the high-power laser optical system 56 according to the instruction from the system control device 10.

The distance measuring unit 54 is a distance measuring sensor or the like, and measures the distance between the laser irradiation device 100 and the threat. The ranging unit 54 measures the distance between the laser irradiating device 100 and the threat when the system control device 10 calculates the focal position for condensing the high-power laser light. The distance measuring unit 54 irradiates the threat with the distance measuring laser light according to the instruction from the system control device 10, and receives the distance measuring laser light reflected by the threat. The ranging unit 54 includes, as hardware, a ranging laser 58 for irradiating the threat with a ranging laser beam and a receiver 59 for receiving the ranging laser beam reflected by the threat. ing.

The image pickup unit 55 includes a camera 60 that captures an image according to an instruction from the system control device 10. The camera 60 captures an image required for detecting a threat and an image required for calculating the azimuth angle and depression / elevation angle of the detected threat. The camera 60 may be an infrared camera that captures infrared rays emitted by the threat, or may be a visible camera that captures visible light rays reflected by the threat. Further, the camera 60 may be a gate camera having illumination.

The direction from the high-power laser optical system 56 toward the threat is the first directional direction, and the high-power laser light passes when the high-power laser optical system 56 irradiates the threat in the first directional direction with the high-power laser light. The axis is the first visual axis. Further, the direction from the distance measuring unit 54 toward the threat is the second directivity direction, and the axis through which the distance measuring laser light passes when the distance measuring unit 54 measures the distance between the distance measuring unit 54 and the threat in the second directivity direction. Is the second visual axis. Further, the direction from the image pickup unit 55 toward the threat is the third directivity direction, and when the image pickup unit 55 images the threat in the third directivity direction, the axis through which the light from the threat toward the image pickup unit 55 passes is the third. The visual axis.

Parallax occurs in these first to third visual axes. Therefore, the laser irradiation device 100 actually uses the parallax-corrected visual axis, but in the present embodiment, the parallax correction will be omitted for convenience of explanation. That is, in the following description, all the first to third visual axes will be described as the visual axis 64, but in reality, the parallax of the first to third visual axes is corrected as necessary. The parallax correction by the laser irradiation device 100 may be corrected by the laser directing device 50 using hardware or by the system control device 10 using software. For example, the visual axis 64 used by the high-power laser optical system 56 is subjected to parallax correction according to the high-power laser optical system 56 with reference to the visual axis 64 used by the camera 60. Further, the parallax correction of the visual axis 64 used by the ranging unit 54 is performed according to the ranging unit 54 with reference to the visual axis 64 used by the camera 60.

When a plurality of threats are present, the laser-oriented device 50 captures an image for each threat and measures the azimuth angle and depression / elevation angle of the threat for each threat. Further, the laser directing device 50 measures the distance between the threat and the threat for each threat.

The high-power laser device 30 includes a high-power laser light source 31 as hardware. The high-power laser light source 31 is a laser light source that generates high-power laser light according to an instruction from the system control device 10 and outputs the generated high-power laser light to the high-power laser optical system 56.

The system control device 10 includes an operation unit 11, a display unit 12, and a signal processing unit 13. The operation unit 11 receives the azimuth angle and depression / elevation angle of the visual axis 64 input by the user. The visual axis 64 received by the operation unit 11 is the visual axis of the camera 60, and corresponds to the image capturing direction of the camera 60. The operation unit 11 outputs the received azimuth angle and depression / elevation angle to the signal processing unit 13.

The signal processing unit 13 performs various signal processing. The signal processing unit 13 includes a high-power laser control unit 14, a focus instruction unit 15, a distance calculation unit 16, a visual axis instruction unit 17, a position calculation unit 18, and a determination unit 19.

The visual axis indicating unit 17 controls the gimbal 52. The visual axis indicating unit 17 generates a control signal to the gimbal 52 based on the azimuth angle and the depression / elevation angle output from the operation unit 11, and outputs the control signal to the gimbal 52. The control signal to the gimbal 52 is a signal for controlling the operation of the gimbal 52. Further, the visual axis instruction unit 17 sends a threat detection instruction and information on the operation of the gimbal 52 (information on the posture of the camera 60) to the position calculation unit 18. When the visual axis indicating unit 17 receives the azimuth angle and the depression / elevation angle from the position calculation unit 18, it generates a control signal to the gimbal 52 based on the azimuth angle and the depression / elevation angle and outputs the control signal to the gimbal 52. Further, the visual axis instruction unit 17 sends an instruction to measure the distance to the threat to the distance calculation unit 16.

When the position calculation unit 18 receives the threat detection instruction from the visual axis instruction unit 17, it sends an image capture instruction to the camera 60 of the image pickup unit 55. When the position calculation unit 18 receives an image from the image pickup unit 55, the position calculation unit 18 detects the threat and calculates the azimuth angle and depression / elevation angle of the detected threat based on the image. The position calculation unit 18 uses the attitude information of the camera 60 when calculating the azimuth angle and the depression / elevation angle of the threat. In the following description, the azimuth angle and depression / elevation angle of the threat calculated by the position calculation unit 18 are referred to as angle information. The position calculation unit 18 outputs the angle information to the visual axis indicating unit 17. Further, the position calculation unit 18 outputs an image captured by the camera 60 to the determination unit 19 in order to determine whether or not the countermeasure against the threat is completed.

The distance calculation unit 16 sends a distance measurement laser beam irradiation instruction to the distance measurement unit 54. The distance calculation unit 16 sets the time t1 when the distance measuring laser 58 emits the distance measuring laser light and the reflected light of the distance measuring laser light (the distance measuring laser light reflected by the threat) by the receiver 59. The distance from the laser irradiation device 100 to the threat (hereinafter referred to as distance information) is calculated based on the time difference from the time when the light is received t2. The distance calculation unit 16 outputs the calculated distance information to the determination unit 19 and the focus instruction unit 15.

The determination unit 19 determines which of the heating mode and the shock wave mode is superior as the mode for dealing with the threat based on the angle information calculated by the position calculation unit 18 and the distance information calculated by the distance calculation unit 16. ..

The shock wave mode is a mode in which a shock wave is generated by irradiating the atmosphere at a position separated from the threat by a specific distance by a specific distance with a high-power laser beam, and the shock wave collides with the threat. The shock wave generated by the irradiation of high-power laser light spreads concentricly.

The shock wave mode is a countermeasure by a shock wave generated by dielectric breakdown of the atmosphere using a high-power laser beam, and can deal with a plurality of threats distributed over a wide area in a short time. When the laser irradiation device 100 uses the shock wave mode, the laser irradiation device 100 insulates the atmosphere by irradiating the atmosphere in the vicinity of the threat with high-power laser light, and propagates the shock wave generated during the dielectric breakdown to the threat. By doing so, it destroys the threat or prevents the invasion of the threat. In the shock wave mode, unlike the melting by heating, the destruction by thermal expansion, the burning by heating, etc. in the heating mode, the dielectric breakdown of the atmosphere and the generation of shock waves are instantaneously caused. Therefore, in the case of the shock wave mode, the laser irradiation device 100 can deal with a wide range of threats in a shorter time than in the heating mode by repeatedly irradiating the high-power laser light over a wide range.

The determination unit 19 determines that the shock wave mode is superior when it is desired to deal with a large number of threats in a short time. The determination unit 19 determines that the heating mode is superior when it is desired to deal with a small number of threats. An example of the determination method by the determination unit 19 will be described later. When the determination unit 19 determines that the heating mode is superior, the determination unit 19 notifies the focus indicator unit 15 that the coping mode is set to the heating mode. When the determination unit 19 determines that the shock wave mode is superior, the determination unit 19 notifies the focus indicator unit 15 that the coping mode is set to the shock wave mode. Further, the determination unit 19 outputs the angle information acquired from the position calculation unit 18 to the focus instruction unit 15. Further, the determination unit 19 determines whether or not the countermeasure against the threat is completed based on the image received from the position calculation unit 18.

The focus indicator 15 controls the focus controller 57. The focus instruction unit 15 outputs a focus control signal, which is an instruction signal for controlling the focus, to the focus controller 57 based on the notification from the determination unit 19. Specifically, the focus indicating unit 15 controls the focus so that the high-power laser light is focused at a position corresponding to the distance information calculated by the distance calculation unit 16 and the angle information sent from the determination unit 19. Generate a signal.

When the focus indicator unit 15 receives the shock wave mode notification from the determination unit 19, the focus control unit 15 generates a focus control signal so that the high-power laser light is focused in the vicinity of the threat. That is, the focus indicator 15 generates a focus control signal with a position separated from the threat by a specific distance and a position in a specific direction as viewed from the threat as the focal position. A position separated from the threat by a specific distance is a position where a shock wave can be generated by irradiation with a high-power laser beam and the threat can be shocked by the shock wave. That is, the position separated from the threat by a specific distance is a position farther from the threat than the first distance and closer than the second distance from the threat (first distance <second distance). The specific direction seen from the threat is a forward position, a backward position, a right position, a left position, an upward position, a downward position, and the like of the threat.

When a plurality of threats are present, the focus indicator 15 generates a focus control signal with the average value of the threat positions (coordinates) as the focus position. In this case, when the focal position overlaps with any threat position, the focus indicating unit 15 generates a focus control signal with the vicinity of the overlapping position as the focal position.

Further, the focus indicating unit 15 may change the focus position for each type of threat. For example, when the threat has a weak point direction, the focus indicator 15 generates a focus control signal so that the shock wave is propagated from the weak point direction. In this case, the determination unit 19 identifies the type of threat based on the image of the threat, and notifies the focus indicator unit 15 of the identified type of information. When the weak point of the threat is a shock wave from a plurality of directions, the focus indicator 15 generates a plurality of focus control signals. In this case, the irradiation optical unit 53 sequentially irradiates the high-power laser beam by using the focus control signals in order.

When the focus indicator unit 15 receives the notification of the heating mode from the determination unit 19, the focus control unit 15 generates a focus control signal so that the high-power laser light is focused on the threat itself.

The focus indicator 15 outputs the generated focus control signal to the focus controller 57. Further, the focus indicator unit 15 outputs an output instruction of the high-power laser beam to the high-power laser control unit 14.

The high-power laser control unit 14 controls the high-power laser light source 31. The high-power laser control unit 14 generates an output control signal which is an instruction signal to the high-power laser light source 31 and outputs the output control signal to the high-power laser light source 31. The output control signal is an instruction signal for causing the high-power laser light source 31 to output high-power laser light.

The display unit 12 is a device that displays various information. The display unit 12 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device.

The operation unit 11 is also connected to the high-power laser device 30. When the operation unit 11 receives the output instruction of the high-power laser light from the user, the operation unit 11 sends the output instruction of the high-power laser light to the high-power laser device 30, and when the operation unit 11 receives the stop instruction of the high-power laser light from the user, the operation unit 11 is high. An instruction to stop the output laser beam is sent to the high output laser device 30.

The operation unit 11 is also connected to the focus indicator unit 15. When the operation unit 11 receives the focus adjustment instruction which is an instruction to specify the focus from the user, the operation unit 11 sends the focus adjustment instruction to the focus instruction unit 15. When the operation unit 11 receives the angle information and the distance information from the user, the operation unit 11 sends the angle information and the distance information to the focus indicating unit 15. In this case, the focus indicator 15 calculates the focus position based on the angle information and the distance information from the user.

Even if the threat information acquisition device, which is a device other than the laser irradiation device 100, acquires the angle information, the distance information, and the irradiation position, which are threat information, and the threat information acquisition device transmits the threat information to the laser irradiation device 100. Good.

<Operating procedure of laser irradiation device>
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operating procedure of the laser irradiation device according to the embodiment. The operation unit 11 receives an instruction input by the user of the laser irradiation device 100. Specifically, the operation unit 11 receives the azimuth angle and the depression / elevation angle of the visual axis 64 (step S11). The operation unit 11 outputs the received azimuth angle and depression / elevation angle to the visual axis instruction unit 17 of the signal processing unit 13.

The visual axis indicating unit 17 generates a control signal to the gimbal 52 based on the azimuth angle and the depression / elevation angle output from the operation unit 11 (step S12), and outputs the control signal to the gimbal 52.

The gimbal 52 is driven by a control signal output from the visual axis indicating unit 17 (step S13). After that, the visual axis instruction unit 17 sends a threat detection instruction to the position calculation unit 18. As a result, the position calculation unit 18 sends an image imaging instruction to the camera 60 of the imaging unit 55. The camera 60 captures an image in the visual axis direction (step S14) and outputs the image to the position calculation unit 18.

The position calculation unit 18 executes threat detection and calculation of the detected threat azimuth angle and depression / elevation angle from the image output from the image pickup unit 55 (step S15). The position calculation unit 18 outputs the azimuth angle and the depression / elevation angle of the threat to the visual axis indicating unit 17.

The visual axis indicating unit 17 generates a control signal to the gimbal 52 based on the azimuth angle and the depression / elevation angle of the threat output from the position calculation unit 18 (step S16), and outputs the control signal to the gimbal 52.

The gimbal 52 is driven by a control signal output from the visual axis indicating unit 17 (step S17). Specifically, the gimbal 52 drives the visual axis 64 of the sensor head unit 51 to point in the threat direction based on the control signal output from the visual axis indicating unit 17. After that, the visual axis instruction unit 17 sends an instruction to measure the distance to the threat to the distance calculation unit 16. As a result, the distance calculation unit 16 sends an irradiation instruction of the distance measurement laser beam to the distance measurement unit 54.

The distance measuring unit 54 irradiates the threat with the distance measuring laser light according to the instruction from the distance calculation unit 16, and receives the distance measuring laser light reflected by the threat (step S18). Specifically, the ranging laser 58 irradiates the ranging laser light in the direction of the visual axis 64, and the ranging laser 58 irradiates the ranging laser light as a threat, and the receiver 59. However, it receives the reflected light of the distance measuring laser beam reflected by the threat. The receiver 59 converts the received reflected light into an electric signal and outputs it to the distance calculation unit 16.

Further, the distance measuring laser 58 sends the time t1 at which the distance measuring laser light is emitted to the distance calculation unit 16. The receiver 59 sends the time t2 at which the reflected light of the distance measuring laser light is received to the distance calculation unit 16.

The distance calculation unit 16 irradiates the laser based on the time difference between the time t1 when the distance measuring laser 58 emits the distance measuring laser light and the time t2 when the receiver 59 receives the reflected light of the distance measuring laser light. The distance from the device 100 to the threat is calculated (step S19). The distance calculation unit 16 may use the time when the distance measurement laser beam irradiation instruction is transmitted to the distance measurement unit 54 instead of the time t1. Further, the distance calculation unit 16 may use the time when the electric signal corresponding to the reflected light is received from the receiver 59 instead of the time t2. The distance calculation unit 16 outputs the calculated distance information to the determination unit 19.

The determination unit 19 determines the superior threat countermeasure mode based on the threat angle information calculated by the position calculation unit 18 and the distance information calculated by the distance calculation unit 16 (step S20). That is, the determination unit 19 determines which of the heating mode and the shock wave mode is superior as the mode for dealing with the threat based on the angle information and the distance information.

The determination unit 19 determines that the shock wave mode is superior when it is desired to deal with a large number of threats in a short time. Here, a method of determining the threat countermeasure mode by the determination unit 19 will be described. The determination unit 19 selects the shock wave mode when the first condition is satisfied, and selects the heating mode when the first condition is not satisfied. That is, the system control device 10 causes the laser directing device 50 to deal with the threat in the shock wave mode when the first condition is satisfied, and causes the laser directing device 50 to perform the heating mode when the first condition is not satisfied. To deal with the threat. The first condition is that the number of threats (number of threats) is equal to or greater than a specific number, the distribution of threats is wider than a specific range, the distance to a threat is shorter than a specific distance, and the threat is a specific type. Is at least one of them.

The determination unit 19 determines which of the heating mode and the shock wave mode is superior by using a pre-programmed conditional determination algorithm. At this time, the determination unit 19 uses the number of threats, the distribution of threats, the distance between the threat and the laser irradiation device 100, and the like as parameters, and selects the coping mode having the higher coping effect on the threat.

Judgment unit 19 is more effective in dealing with the threat invasion by the shock wave mode than by the heating mode, or heating (melting, destroying or burning) the threat by the heating mode is more effective than dealing with the shock wave mode. Determine if the coping effect is high.

The determination unit 19 determines the coping mode to be selected based on the number of threats, the distribution of threats, the distance between the threats and the laser irradiation device 100, and at least one of the types of threats. For example, when the number of threats is larger than a specific number, it may be difficult to deal with all the threats in the heating mode, so the determination unit 19 selects the shock wave mode. The determination unit 19 selects the shock wave mode when the specific number of threats is, for example, three or more. Further, when the distribution range of the threat is wider than the specific range, it is more efficient to deal with a plurality of threats by the shock wave mode, so the determination unit 19 selects the shock wave mode. Further, if the distance between the threat and the laser irradiation device 100 is shorter than the specific distance, the heating mode may not be in time, so the determination unit 19 selects the shock wave mode. Further, when the threat is a kind of threat weak to the shock wave mode, it is more efficient to deal with the threat by the shock wave mode, so the determination unit 19 selects the shock wave mode.

The determination unit 19 may select the response mode based on the combination of the number of threats, the distribution of threats, the distance between the threat and the laser irradiation device 100, and the type of threat described above. For example, when the number of threats is 1 and the distance between the threat and the laser irradiation device 100 is longer than the first reference value, the determination unit 19 heats the threat by the heating mode according to the shock wave mode. Judge that the coping effect is higher than the coping effect. On the other hand, when the number of threats is plural and the distance between the threat and the laser irradiation device 100 is shorter than the second reference value, the determination unit 19 may interfere with the invasion of the threat by the shock wave mode. It is judged that the coping effect is higher than the coping effect by the heating mode. The heating mode or the shock wave mode may be determined by the user inputting the mode to the operation unit 11.

When the determination unit 19 determines that the heating mode is superior (step S25, No), the determination unit 19 notifies the focus indicator unit 15 that the coping mode is to be the heating mode, whereby the laser irradiation device 100 is in the heating mode. Is executed (step S30).

When the determination unit 19 determines that the shock wave mode is superior (step S25, Yes), the determination unit 19 notifies the focus indicator unit 15 that the coping mode is to be the shock wave mode, whereby the laser irradiation device 100 is in the shock wave mode. Is executed (step S40). The operation procedure of the heating mode and the operation procedure of the shock wave mode will be described later.

After receiving an image imaging instruction from the position calculation unit 18, the camera 60 repeats a process of capturing an image in the visual axis direction (step S21) and a process of outputting the captured image to the position calculation unit 18. ..

The position calculation unit 18 outputs the image captured by the camera 60 to the determination unit 19. The determination unit 19 determines whether or not the threat countermeasure has been completed based on the image output by the position calculation unit 18 (step S22). When the countermeasure is not completed (step S23, No), the laser irradiation device 100 returns to the process of step S14 and repeats the processes of steps S14 to S22. When the countermeasure is completed (step S23, Yes), the laser irradiation device 100 ends the irradiation of the high-power laser light. Specifically, the determination unit 19 notifies the focus indicator unit 15 of the completion of the countermeasure, and the focus indicator unit 15 notifies the high-power laser control unit 14 of the completion of the countermeasure. The focus indicator 15 completes control of the focus controller 57, and the high-power laser control unit 14 completes control of the high-power laser light source 31.

The laser irradiation device 100 displays the operating status of the laser irradiation device 100, an image output from the imaging unit 55, and the like on the display unit 12 while the threat is being dealt with. Here, the operation procedure of the heating mode and the operation procedure of the shock wave mode will be described.

<Operation procedure in heating mode>
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the heating mode by the laser irradiation device according to the embodiment. When the determination unit 19 determines that the heating mode is superior, the determination unit 19 notifies the focus indicator unit 15 that the heating mode is superior.

The focus indicator unit 15 generates a focus control signal so that the high-power laser beam is focused on a threat calculated by the distance calculation unit 16 at a distance (step S30a). The focus indicator 15 outputs the generated focus control signal to the focus controller 57. Further, the focus indicator unit 15 outputs an output instruction of the high-power laser beam to the high-power laser control unit 14.

The focus controller 57 adjusts the focal position where the high-power laser beam is irradiated based on the focus control signal received from the focus indicator 15 (step S30b). The focus controller 57 adjusts the focal position with respect to the high-power laser light emitted by the high-power laser optical system 56.

The high-power laser control unit 14 generates an output control signal which is an instruction signal to the high-power laser light source 31 (step S30c), and outputs the output control signal to the high-power laser light source 31.

The high-power laser light source 31 outputs high-power laser light based on the output control signal from the high-power laser control unit 14 (step S30d). This high-power laser light is sent to the high-power laser optical system 56.

The high-power laser optical system 56 shapes the high-power laser light output by the high-power laser light source 31, adjusts the focal position, outputs the light in the direction of the visual axis 64, and continuously irradiates the threat (step S30e). As a result, the laser irradiation device 100 heats the threat with high-power laser light.

<Shock wave mode operation procedure>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the shock wave mode by the laser irradiation device according to the embodiment. When the determination unit 19 determines that the shock wave mode is superior, the determination unit 19 notifies the focus indicator unit 15 that the shock wave mode is superior.

The focus indicator unit 15 calculates the focal position at which the shock wave efficiently propagates to the threat based on the distance to the threat calculated by the distance calculation unit 16, and generates a focus control signal (step S40a). When a plurality of threats are present, the focus indicator 15 calculates the focus position based on the threat distribution. The focus indicator 15 outputs the generated focus control signal to the focus controller 57. Further, the focus indicator unit 15 outputs an output instruction of the high-power laser beam to the high-power laser control unit 14.

The focus controller 57 adjusts the focal position where the high-power laser beam is irradiated based on the focus control signal received from the focus indicator 15 (step S40b). The focus controller 57 adjusts the focal position with respect to the high-power laser light emitted by the high-power laser optical system 56.

The high-power laser control unit 14 generates an output control signal which is an instruction signal to the high-power laser light source 31 (step S40c). The output control signal is an instruction signal for causing the high-power laser light source 31 to output high-power laser light.

The high-power laser light source 31 outputs high-power laser light based on the output control signal from the high-power laser control unit 14 (step S40d). This high-power laser light is sent to the high-power laser optical system 56.

The high-power laser optical system 56 shapes the high-power laser light output by the high-power laser light source 31, adjusts the focal position, outputs the light in the direction of the visual axis 64, and continuously irradiates the vicinity of the threat (step S40e). ). As a result, the laser irradiation device 100 generates a shock wave in the vicinity of the threat. As a result, the shock wave propagates toward the threat and collides with the threat, so that the laser irradiation device 100 can interfere with the mission of the threat and protect the protection target from the threat.

In the flowchart of FIG. 2, the case where the laser irradiation device 100 selects the shock wave mode or the heating mode has been described, but the laser irradiation device 100 does not execute the determination process of the coping mode and is used for all threats. The shock wave mode may be executed.

Further, the laser irradiation device 100 may group a plurality of threats and irradiate a shock wave for each group. Each set in this case may contain one or more threats.

Here, a supplementary explanation will be given regarding the processing of steps S30 and S40 by the laser irradiation device 100 described above. In FIGS. 1 to 4, the case where one laser irradiation device 100 for dealing with the threat has been described has been described, but the threat may be dealt with by a plurality of laser irradiation devices.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a process when coping with the heating mode is executed by the two laser irradiation devices according to the embodiment. Here, a case where the laser irradiation device 201 and the laser irradiation device 202 are used to deal with the heating mode will be described. The laser irradiation devices 201 and 202 are laser irradiation devices that can deal with threats in the heating mode in the same manner as the laser irradiation device 100.

The laser irradiation devices 201 and 202 share threat information including angle information, distance information, and irradiation position. One of the laser irradiation devices 201 and 202 is the master laser irradiation device, and the other is the slave laser irradiation device. By transmitting the threat information acquired by the master laser irradiation device to the slave laser irradiation device, the threat information can be shared by the laser irradiation devices 201 and 202. The threat information may be acquired by a device other than the laser irradiation devices 201 and 202 (threat information acquisition device), and the threat information acquisition device may transmit the threat information to the laser irradiation devices 201 and 202.

The laser irradiation devices 201 and 202 focus the high-power laser light 201a output by the laser irradiation device 201 and the high-power laser light 202a output by the laser irradiation device 202 on the threat 250, so that the laser irradiation device 100 can perform the laser irradiation device 100. The threat 250 can be heated by a high-power laser beam that is stronger than the high-power laser light that is output. Further, the number of laser irradiation devices may be three or more.

Further, when the threat 250 cannot be melted by one laser irradiation device, the laser irradiation devices 201 and 202 may melt the threat 250 by condensing the high-power laser beams 201a and 202a on the threat 250. ..

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a process when the shock wave mode is dealt with by the two laser irradiation devices according to the embodiment. Here, a case where the shock wave mode is dealt with by using the laser irradiation device 301 which is the first laser irradiation device and the laser irradiation device 302 which is the second laser irradiation device will be described. The laser irradiation devices 301 and 302 are laser irradiation devices that can deal with the threat 250 in the shock wave mode in the same manner as the laser irradiation device 100.

The laser irradiation devices 301 and 302 share threat information including angle information, distance information, and irradiation position. One of the laser irradiation devices 301 and 302 is the master laser irradiation device, and the other is the slave laser irradiation device. By transmitting the threat information acquired by the master laser irradiation device to the slave laser irradiation device, the threat information can be shared by the laser irradiation devices 301 and 302. The threat information may be acquired by a threat information acquisition device that is a device other than the laser irradiation devices 301 and 302, and may be transmitted by the threat information acquisition device to the laser irradiation devices 301 and 302.

The laser irradiation devices 301 and 302 focus the high-power laser light 301a output by the laser irradiation device 301 and the high-power laser light 302a output by the laser irradiation device 302 in the vicinity (focal position) of the threat 250. , A shock wave 310 stronger than the shock wave generated by the laser irradiation device 100 can be locally generated. The number of laser irradiation devices that locally generate the shock wave 310 may be three or more.

Further, when the shock wave 310 cannot be generated by one laser irradiation device, the laser irradiation devices 301 and 302 focus the high-power laser beams 301a and 302a in the vicinity of the threat 250 to generate the shock wave 310. It may be generated.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a process when the shock wave mode is dealt with by the three laser irradiation devices according to the embodiment. Here, the shock wave mode is performed by using the laser irradiation device 401 which is the first laser irradiation device, the laser irradiation device 402 which is the second laser irradiation device, and the laser irradiation device 403 which is the third laser irradiation device. The case of executing the action will be described.

The laser irradiation devices 401 to 403 are laser irradiation devices that can deal with the threat 250 in the shock wave mode in the same manner as the laser irradiation device 100. The laser irradiation devices 401 to 403 share threat information including angle information, distance information, and irradiation position. Any one of the laser irradiation devices 401 to 403 is the master laser irradiation device, and the remaining two are slave laser irradiation devices. By transmitting the threat information acquired by the master laser irradiation device to the slave laser irradiation device, the threat information can be shared by the laser irradiation devices 401 to 403. The threat information may be acquired by a threat information acquisition device that is a device other than the laser irradiation devices 401 to 403, and the threat information acquisition device may transmit the threat information to the laser irradiation devices 401 to 403.

The laser irradiation devices 401 to 403 include a high-power laser light 401a output by the laser irradiation device 401, a high-power laser light 402a output by the laser irradiation device 402, and a high-power laser light 403a output by the laser irradiation device 403. Irradiate. Specifically, the laser directional device included in the laser irradiation device 401 is a high-power laser beam that is the first laser beam to the atmosphere at the first focal position separated by the first distance in the first direction from the threat 250. Irradiate 401a. The laser directing device included in the laser irradiation device 402 irradiates the atmosphere at the second focal position, which is a second distance away from the threat 250 in the second direction, with the high-power laser light 402a which is the second laser light. The laser directing device included in the laser irradiation device 403 irradiates the atmosphere at a third position, which is a third distance away from the threat 250 in the third direction, with the high-power laser light 403a which is the third laser light.

By these processes, the laser irradiation device 401 generates a first shock wave at the first focal position, the laser irradiation device 402 generates a second shock wave at the second focal position, and the laser irradiation device 403 generates a second shock wave. , A third shock wave is generated at the third position. As a result, the laser irradiation devices 401 to 403 can form a shock wave surface 410 composed of a plurality of shock waves in the space, and a protective net can be generated by the plurality of shock wave surfaces 410. The number of laser irradiation devices forming the shock wave surface 410 may be two or a plurality of four or more.

For example, threat 250 may fly in formation. In this case, the laser irradiation devices 401 to 403 form the shock wave surface 410 so as to be parallel to the formation row.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the laser irradiation device 100 can interfere with the operation of the threat in a short time by the shock wave mode. That is, the laser irradiation device 100 can deal with the threat in the shock wave mode even if the threat cannot be dealt with by the heating mode. For example, even when a number of threats exceeding the coping capacity of the heating mode invades, the laser irradiation device 100 can impact a large number of threats in a short time by the shock wave mode. In this way, since the shock wave mode has a shorter response time than the heating mode, the protection target can be protected against threats existing at a short distance from the laser irradiation device 100, and the protection target can be protected from a plurality of threats by one countermeasure. Can be protected.

Further, since the laser irradiation device 100 can use both the heating mode and the shock wave mode, it has a higher coping ability than the device that can use only the heating mode.

Further, since the laser irradiation device 100 determines which of the heating mode and the shock wave mode is superior based on parameters such as the number of threats and the distance between the threat and the laser irradiation device, it is effective against the threat. It is possible to select a coping mode that can be dealt with in a targeted manner.

In addition, each of the plurality of laser irradiators can condense high-power laser light at a specific position near the threat to generate a shock wave having a larger energy than the shock wave generated by one laser irradiator. it can.

Furthermore, each of the plurality of laser irradiation devices irradiates high-power laser light so that a plurality of shock waves are generated in the space, thereby protecting a wider range than the shock wave protection network formed by one laser irradiation device. A net can be generated.

Here, the hardware configuration of the signal processing unit 13 will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a first example of a hardware configuration that realizes a signal processing unit included in the laser irradiation device according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a second example of a hardware configuration that realizes a signal processing unit included in the laser irradiation device according to the embodiment.

The signal processing unit 13 can be realized by the processor 501, the memory 502, and the interface 504 shown in FIG. The processor 501 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit, central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microprocessor, processor, DSP (Digital Signal Processor)), system LSI (Large Scale Integration), and the like. The memory 502 is a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), or the like.

The memory 502 stores a program that executes the function of the signal processing unit 13. The processor 501 executes the processing by the signal processing unit 13 by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 502. It can be said that the program stored in the memory 502 causes the computer to execute a plurality of instructions corresponding to the procedure or method of the signal processing unit 13. The memory 502 is also used as a temporary memory when the processor 501 executes various processes.

The program executed by the processor 501 may be a computer program product having a computer-readable and non-transitory recording medium containing a plurality of instructions for performing data processing, which can be executed by a computer. ..

The processor 501 and the memory 502 shown in FIG. 8 may be replaced with the processing circuit 503 shown in FIG. The processing circuit 503 may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. Applicable. Some of the functions of the signal processing unit 13 may be realized by dedicated hardware, and some may be realized by software or firmware.

The configuration shown in the above-described embodiment shows an example of the content of the present invention, can be combined with another known technique, and is one of the configurations without departing from the gist of the present invention. It is also possible to omit or change the part.

10 System control device, 11 Operation unit, 12 Display unit, 13 Signal processing unit, 14 High-power laser control unit, 15 Focus indicator unit, 16 Distance calculation unit, 17 Optical axis indicator unit, 18 Position calculation unit, 19 Judgment unit, 30 high-power laser device, 31 high-power laser light source, 50 laser pointing device, 51 sensor head part, 52 gimbal, 53 irradiation optical part, 54 distance measuring part, 55 imaging unit, 56 high-power laser optical system, 57 focus controller , 58 Distance measuring laser, 59 receiver, 60 camera, 64 visual axes, 100, 201, 202, 301, 302, 401-403 laser irradiation device, 201a, 202a, 301a, 302a, 401a, 402a, 403a High output Laser light, 250 threat, 310 shock wave, 410 shock wave surface, 501 processor, 502 memory, 504 interface, 503 processing circuit.

Claims (8)

A laser light source that generates laser light and
The focal position of the laser beam is determined based on the angle information indicating the azimuth and depression / elevation angles of the object to be dealt with by using the laser beam and the distance information indicating the distance to the object. The system control device to instruct and
A laser-directed device that controls the focal position based on an instruction from the system control device and irradiates the laser beam.
With
The laser directing device causes dielectric breakdown of the atmosphere at the focal position by irradiating the focal position, which is a position away from the object, with the laser beam, and propagates a shock wave generated at the time of dielectric breakdown to the object. It has a function to deal with the object in the shock wave mode.
A laser irradiation device characterized by this. The laser-oriented device further has a function of coping with the object in a heating mode in which the object is irradiated with the laser beam to heat the object.
When the first condition is satisfied, the system control device causes the laser-oriented device to deal with the object in the shock wave mode, and when the first condition is not satisfied, the laser-directed device is in the heating mode. To deal with the object,
The laser irradiation device according to claim 1. The first condition is that the number of the objects is a specific number or more, the distribution of the objects is wider than the specific range, and the distance from the laser directing device to the objects is longer than the specific distance. And at least one of the objects being of a particular type,
The laser irradiation apparatus according to claim 2. The system control device controls the focal position based on the distribution of the object.
The laser irradiation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the laser irradiation device is characterized. The laser-oriented device has an imaging unit that captures an image of the object.
The system control device determines the type of the object based on the image and controls the focal position based on the type of the object.
The laser irradiation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the laser irradiation device is characterized. The object is a flying object or an organism,
The laser irradiation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the laser irradiation device is characterized. The first laser irradiation device and
The second laser irradiation device and
Equipped with
The first laser irradiation device and the second laser irradiation device are each
A laser light source that generates laser light and
The focal position of the laser beam is determined based on the angle information indicating the azimuth and depression / elevation angles of the object to be dealt with by using the laser beam and the distance information indicating the distance to the object. The system control device to instruct and
A laser-directed device that controls the focal position based on an instruction from the system control device and irradiates the laser beam.
With
The laser directing device included in the first laser irradiation device irradiates the first laser beam to the focal position, which is a position away from the object.
The laser directing device included in the second laser irradiation device irradiates the focal position with the second laser beam.
The first laser beam and the second laser beam irradiated to the focal position cause dielectric breakdown of the atmosphere at the focal position, and a shock wave generated at the time of dielectric breakdown is propagated to the object.
A laser irradiation system characterized by this. The first laser irradiation device and
The second laser irradiation device and
Equipped with
The first laser irradiation device and the second laser irradiation device are each
A laser light source that generates laser light and
The focal position of the laser beam is determined based on the angle information indicating the azimuth and depression / elevation angles of the object to be dealt with by using the laser beam and the distance information indicating the distance to the object. The system control device to instruct and
A laser-directed device that controls the focal position based on an instruction from the system control device and irradiates the laser beam.
With
The laser directing device included in the first laser irradiation device dielectrically breaks down the atmosphere at the first focal position by irradiating the first focal position, which is a position away from the object, with the first laser beam. Then, the first shock wave generated at the time of dielectric breakdown at the first focal position is propagated to the object.
The laser directing device included in the second laser irradiation device dielectrically breaks down the atmosphere at the second focal position by irradiating the second focal position, which is a position away from the object, with the second laser beam. Then, the second shock wave generated at the time of dielectric breakdown at the second focal position is propagated to the object.
Propagate the first shock wave and the second shock wave to the object.
A laser irradiation system characterized by this.

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