JP7336921B2 - Laser irradiation device and laser irradiation system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a laser irradiation device and a laser irradiation system for irradiating laser light.

A high energy laser (hereafter referred to as HEL) system is one of the melting apparatuses that melt an object such as a flying object using a laser beam. The HEL system of Patent Literature 1 is a system that heats a threat such as a flying object by generating a high-power laser beam and irradiating the threat with the high-power laser beam. The material used in the threat melts or thermally expands and is destroyed by heating with high-power laser light. This allows the HEL system to degrade the threat's performance, thereby interfering with the threat's operation and protecting the protected target from the threat.

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

However, the HEL system of Patent Literature 1 needs to continuously irradiate a high-power laser beam until the threat is melted, so it takes a long time to handle each threat. If there are three threats, a first threat, a second threat, and a third threat, the HEL system of U.S. Pat. , and finally heat the third threat. In this case, if it takes a long time to heat the first threat, the second or third threat may reach the object to be protected before being heated. In addition, even if there is only one threat, if the distance between the threat and the protection target is short, there are cases where the heat treatment cannot be done in time and the threat reaches the protection target before being melted. . As described above, the HEL system of Patent Literature 1 takes a long time to block a threat, and therefore, there are cases where the operation of a threat that exceeds the heat treatment capability cannot be blocked.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a laser irradiation device capable of interfering with a threatening action in a short period of time.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the laser irradiation apparatus of the present invention includes a laser light source that generates laser light, and an azimuth angle and elevation at which an object to be treated using the laser light exists. a system controller that instructs the focal position of the laser light based on angle information indicating the angle and distance information that indicates the distance to the object, and controlling the focal position based on the instruction from the system controller; and a laser directing device for emitting laser light. A laser pointing device irradiates a focal point, which is a position away from an object, with a laser beam to cause dielectric breakdown of the atmosphere at the focal point, and propagates the shock wave generated at the time of dielectric breakdown to the object in a shock wave mode. It has a function to deal with The system controller includes a focus instruction section that calculates the focal position at which the shock wave efficiently propagates to the target object, and instructs the laser pointing device to calculate the focal position calculated by the focus instruction section. The indicator calculates the focus position based on the distribution of the objects.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it is effective in being able to obstruct the operation|movement of a threat in a short time.

1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a laser irradiation device according to an embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation procedure of the laser irradiation device according to the embodiment; 4 is a flow chart showing an operation procedure in a heating mode by the laser irradiation device according to the embodiment; 4 is a flow chart showing an operation procedure in shock wave mode by the laser irradiation device according to the embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining processing when two laser irradiation apparatuses according to an embodiment execute heat mode handling; FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining processing when two laser irradiation apparatuses according to an embodiment execute shock wave mode countermeasures; FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining processing when three laser irradiation apparatuses according to an embodiment execute shock wave mode countermeasures; FIG. 4 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; The figure which shows the 2nd example of the hardware configuration which implement|achieves the signal processing part with which the laser irradiation apparatus concerning embodiment is provided.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, embodiment of the laser irradiation apparatus concerning this invention and a laser irradiation system is described in detail based on drawing. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment.

Embodiment.
<Configuration of laser irradiation device>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating 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 shock waves in the vicinity of a threat. In addition, the laser irradiation device 100 can irradiate a high-output laser beam. A threat is an object to be dealt with using high-power laser light. Examples of threats are projectiles such as drones, aircraft, and missiles. Note that the threat may be a creature such as an insect or a bird. A threat is not limited to a moving object, and may be a stationary object or an object that temporarily stops and moves. A laser irradiation device 100 includes a system control device 10 , a high-power laser device 30 , and a laser directing device 50 . System controller 10 is connected to high power laser device 30 and laser directing device 50 .

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

The laser directing device 50 irradiates the first focal position around the threat with a high-power laser beam to cause a dielectric breakdown in the atmosphere of the first focal position, and the shock wave generated at the dielectric breakdown propagates to the threat. It has the ability to deal with threats in shock wave mode. In addition, the laser directing device 50 has a function of coping with the threat in a heating mode in which the threat is heated by irradiating it with a high-power laser beam. Details of the shock wave mode and the heating mode will be described later.

The laser pointing device 50 has a sensor head section 51 and a gimbal 52 as hardware. The gimbal 52 is connected to the sensor head section 51 . The gimbal 52 is drivable in the azimuth direction and the depression/elevation direction, and rotates the sensor head section 51 in the azimuth direction and the depression/elevation direction.

The sensor head section 51 includes an irradiation optical section 53 , a distance measuring section 54 and an imaging section 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-output 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 focus position for condensing the high-power laser beam emitted by the high-power laser optical system 56 according to instructions from the system controller 10 .

The distance measurement unit 54 is a distance measurement sensor or the like, and measures the distance between the laser irradiation device 100 and the threat. The distance measurement unit 54 measures the distance between the laser irradiation device 100 and the threat when the system control device 10 calculates the focal position for condensing the high-power laser beam. The distance measurement unit 54 irradiates the threat with laser light for distance measurement and receives the laser light for distance measurement reflected by the threat in accordance with an instruction from the system control device 10 . 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 capturing unit 55 includes a camera 60 that captures images according to instructions from the system control device 10 . The camera 60 captures an image necessary for detecting a threat and an image necessary for calculating the azimuth angle and depression/elevation angle of the detected threat. The camera 60 may be an infrared camera that captures infrared light emitted by a threat, or a visible camera that captures visible light reflected by a threat. Camera 60 may also be a gated camera with illumination.

The direction from the high-power laser optical system 56 toward the threat is the first pointing direction, and the high-power laser light passes when the high-power laser optical system 56 irradiates the threat in the first pointing direction with the high-power laser light. The axis is the first visual axis. Also, the direction from the distance measuring unit 54 toward the threat is the second pointing direction, and the axis through which the ranging laser light passes when the distance measuring unit 54 measures the distance to the threat in the second pointing direction. is the second visual axis. Further, the direction from the imaging unit 55 toward the threat is the third orientation direction, and the axis through which the light traveling from the threat toward the imaging unit 55 passes when the imaging unit 55 takes an image of the threat in the third orientation direction is the third orientation direction. is the visual axis.

Parallax is generated in these first to third visual axes. Therefore, the laser irradiation apparatus 100 actually uses a visual axis corrected for parallax, but in the present embodiment, the correction for parallax is omitted for convenience of explanation. That is, in the following description, the first to third visual axes are all assumed to be the visual axis 64, but in reality the first to third visual axes are corrected for parallax as necessary. Parallax correction by the laser irradiation device 100 may be performed by the laser directing device 50 using hardware, or may be performed 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 visual axis 64 used by the distance measuring section 54 is subjected to parallax correction according to the distance measuring section 54 with the visual axis 64 used by the camera 60 as a reference.

When there are multiple threats, the laser pointing device 50 captures an image for each threat and measures the azimuth angle and elevation angle of the threat for each threat. Laser directing device 50 also measures the distance between threats 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 instructions 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 section 11 , a display section 12 and a signal processing section 13 . The operation unit 11 receives the azimuth angle and elevation angle of the visual axis 64 input by the user. A visual axis 64 received by the operation unit 11 is the visual axis of the camera 60 and corresponds to the imaging direction of the image by the camera 60 . The operation unit 11 outputs the received azimuth angle and 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 instruction section 17 controls the gimbal 52 . The visual axis instruction unit 17 generates a control signal for the gimbal 52 based on the azimuth angle and elevation angle output from the operation unit 11 and outputs the control signal to the gimbal 52 . A control signal to the gimbal 52 is a signal for controlling the operation of the gimbal 52 . The visual axis instruction unit 17 also sends a threat detection instruction and information on the operation of the gimbal 52 (information on the attitude of the camera 60) to the position calculation unit 18. FIG. Further, upon receiving the azimuth angle and elevation angle from the position calculation unit 18 , the visual axis instruction unit 17 generates a control signal for the gimbal 52 based on the azimuth angle and elevation angle, and outputs the control signal to the gimbal 52 . Also, the visual axis instruction unit 17 sends an instruction to measure the distance to the threat to the distance calculation unit 16 .

Upon receiving the threat detection instruction from the visual axis instruction unit 17 , the position calculation unit 18 sends an image pickup instruction to the camera 60 of the image pickup unit 55 . Upon receiving an image from the imaging unit 55, the position calculation unit 18 detects a threat and calculates the azimuth angle and elevation angle of the detected threat based on the image. The position calculator 18 uses information about the attitude of the camera 60 when calculating the azimuth angle and elevation angle of the threat. In the following description, the azimuth angle and depression/elevation angle of the threat calculated by the position calculator 18 are referred to as angle information. The position calculation section 18 outputs the angle information to the visual axis instruction section 17 . In addition, the position calculation unit 18 outputs the image captured by the camera 60 to the determination unit 19 in order to determine whether or not the threat has been dealt with.

The distance calculation unit 16 sends an instruction to irradiate the laser beam for distance measurement to the distance measurement unit 54 . The distance calculation unit 16 calculates the time t1 at which the ranging laser 58 emits the ranging laser light and the reflected light of the ranging laser light from the receiver 59 (the ranging laser light reflected by the threat). 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 t2 when the light was received. Distance calculation unit 16 outputs the calculated distance information to determination unit 19 and focus instruction unit 15 .

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

The shock wave mode is a mode in which a shock wave is generated by irradiating a high-power laser beam into the atmosphere at a specific distance in a specific direction from the threat, and the shock wave collides with the threat. A shock wave generated by the irradiation of the high-power laser beam spreads concentrically.

The shock wave mode is a countermeasure using a shock wave generated by dielectric breakdown of the atmosphere using a high-power laser beam, and it is possible to deal with a plurality of widely distributed threats in a short period of time. When the laser irradiation device 100 uses the shock wave mode, the laser irradiation device 100 causes a dielectric breakdown in the atmosphere by irradiating the atmosphere near the threat with high-power laser light, and propagates the shock wave generated at the time of the dielectric breakdown to the threat. to destroy a threat or thwart a threat's invasion. In the shock wave mode, unlike the melting due to heating, destruction due to thermal expansion, burning due to heating, etc. in the heating mode, dielectric breakdown of the atmosphere and generation of shock waves are instantaneously caused. Therefore, in the shock wave mode, the laser irradiation apparatus 100 repeatedly irradiates a high-power laser beam over a wide range, thereby being able to deal with threats over a wide range in a shorter time than in the heating mode.

The determination unit 19 determines that the shock wave mode is superior when it is desired to deal with many threats in a short time. The determination unit 19 determines that the heating mode is superior when dealing 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 instruction unit 15 to set the coping mode to the heating mode. When the determination unit 19 determines that the shock wave mode is superior, the determination unit 19 notifies the focus instruction unit 15 to set the coping mode to the shock wave mode. The determination unit 19 also outputs the angle information acquired from the position calculation unit 18 to the focus instruction unit 15 . Further, based on the image received from the position calculation unit 18, the determination unit 19 determines whether or not the threat has been dealt with.

The focus instruction section 15 controls the focus controller 57 . Based on the notification from the determination unit 19 , the focus instruction unit 15 outputs a focus control signal, which is an instruction signal for controlling the focus, to the focus controller 57 . Specifically, the focus instruction unit 15 performs focus control so that the high-power laser beam 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 notification of the shock wave mode is received from the determination unit 19, the focus instruction unit 15 generates a focus control signal so that the high-power laser beam is focused in the vicinity of the threat. That is, the focus instruction unit 15 generates a focus control signal having a focus position that is a specific distance away from the threat and a specific direction as seen from the threat. A position away from the threat by a specific distance is a position where a shock wave can be generated by irradiation with high-power laser light and the threat can be impacted by the shock wave. That is, a position at a specific distance from the threat is a position further from the threat than a first distance and closer than a second distance (first distance<second distance) from the threat. The specific direction viewed from the threat may be the forward position, backward position, rightward position, leftward position, upward position, downward position, etc. of the threat.

When there are a plurality of threats, the focus instruction unit 15 generates a focus control signal using the average value of the positions (coordinates) of the threats as the focus position. In this case, if the focus position overlaps with any threat position, the focus instruction section 15 generates a focus control signal with the focus position near the overlapping position.

Also, the focus instruction unit 15 may change the focus position for each type of threat. For example, if the threat has a weak point direction, the focus instruction unit 15 generates a focus control signal so that the shock wave propagates 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 instruction unit 15 of information on the identified type. If the weak point of the threat is shock waves from multiple directions, the focus instruction unit 15 generates multiple focus control signals. In this case, the irradiation optical unit 53 sequentially uses the focus control signals to sequentially irradiate the high-power laser beams.

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

The focus instruction section 15 outputs the generated focus control signal to the focus controller 57 . The focus instruction unit 15 also outputs an instruction to output the high-output laser beam to the high-output laser control unit 14 .

The high power laser controller 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 it 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.

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

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

The angle information, the distance information, and the irradiation position, which are threat information, may be acquired by a threat information acquisition device, which is a device other than the laser irradiation device 100, and transmitted to the laser irradiation device 100 by the threat information acquisition device. good.

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

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

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

The position calculation unit 18 detects a threat and calculates the azimuth angle and elevation angle of the detected threat from the image output from the imaging unit 55 (step S15). The position calculation unit 18 outputs the azimuth angle and elevation angle of the threat to the visual axis instruction unit 17 .

The visual axis instruction unit 17 generates a control signal for the gimbal 52 based on the threat azimuth angle and depression/elevation angle output from the position calculation unit 18 (step S<b>16 ), and outputs the control signal to the gimbal 52 .

The gimbal 52 is driven by a control signal output from the visual axis instruction section 17 (step S17). Specifically, the gimbal 52 drives the visual axis 64 of the sensor head section 51 to point in the threat direction based on the control signal output from the visual axis instruction section 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 instruction to irradiate the laser beam for distance measurement to the distance measurement unit 54 .

The distance measurement unit 54 irradiates the threat with the laser light for distance measurement according to the instruction from the distance calculation unit 16, and receives the laser light for distance measurement reflected by the threat (step S18). Specifically, the range finding laser 58 irradiates the range finding laser light in the direction of the visual axis 64 , causing the range finding laser 58 to irradiate the range finding laser light to the receiver 59 . receives the reflected light of the ranging laser light reflected by the threat. The receiver 59 converts the received reflected light into an electrical signal and outputs the electrical signal to the distance calculator 16 .

In addition, the laser for distance measurement 58 sends the time t1 at which the laser light for distance measurement is emitted to the distance calculation section 16 . The receiver 59 sends to the distance calculator 16 the time t2 at which the reflected light of the ranging laser light is received.

Based on the time difference between the time t1 when the ranging laser 58 emits the ranging laser light and the time t2 when the receiver 59 receives the reflected light of the ranging laser light, the distance calculation unit 16 performs laser irradiation. Calculate the distance from the device 100 to the threat (step S19). Note that the distance calculation unit 16 may use the time when the instruction to irradiate the laser beam for distance measurement is transmitted to the distance measurement unit 54 instead of the time t1. Also, the distance calculator 16 may use the time at which the electrical signal corresponding to the reflected light is received from the receiver 59 instead of the time t2. The distance calculator 16 outputs the calculated distance information to the determiner 19 .

The determination unit 19 determines a superior threat handling 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, based on the angle information and the distance information, the determination unit 19 determines which of the heating mode and the shock wave mode is superior as the mode for coping with the threat.

The determination unit 19 determines that the shock wave mode is superior when it is desired to deal with many 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 controller 10 causes the laser pointing device 50 to deal with the threat in the shock wave mode if the first condition is satisfied, and causes the laser pointing device 50 to deal with the threat in the heating mode if the first condition is not satisfied. to respond to threats. The first condition is that the number of threats (number of threats) is a specific number or more, the distribution of threats is wider than a specific range, the distance to the threat is shorter than the specific distance, and the threat is of a specific type is at least one of

The judgment unit 19 judges which of the heating mode and the shock wave mode is superior by a preprogrammed condition judgment algorithm. At this time, the determination unit 19 selects a coping mode that is more effective in coping with threats, using the number of threats, the distribution of threats, the distance between the threats and the laser irradiation device 100, and the like as parameters.

The determination unit 19 determines whether blocking the invasion of the threat in the shock wave mode is more effective than dealing with the heating mode, or heating (melting, destroying, or burning) the threat in the heating mode is more effective than dealing with the shock wave mode. Determine whether the coping effect is high.

The determination unit 19 determines the countermeasure mode to be selected based on at least one 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. For example, if the number of threats is greater than a specific number, it may be difficult to deal with all 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. Also, when the distribution range of threats is wider than the specific range, it is more efficient to deal with a plurality of threats in the shock wave mode, so the determination unit 19 selects the shock wave mode. Also, if the distance between the threat and the laser irradiation device 100 is shorter than the specific distance, the heating mode may not be enough, so the determination unit 19 selects the shock wave mode. Also, if the threat is of a type that is vulnerable to the shock wave mode, it is more efficient to deal with the threat in the shock wave mode, so the determination unit 19 selects the shock wave mode.

The determination unit 19 may select the countermeasure 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, it is preferable to heat the threat in the heating mode rather than in the shock wave mode. It is judged that the coping effect is higher than the countermeasure. 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 determines that it is better to block the invasion of the threat by the shock wave mode. It is judged that the countermeasure effect is higher than the countermeasure by the heating mode. Note that the heating mode or the shock wave mode may be determined by the user inputting a mode to the operation unit 11 .

If the determination unit 19 determines that the heating mode is superior (step S25, No), the determination unit 19 notifies the focus instruction unit 15 to set the treatment mode to the heating mode. is executed (step S30).

If the determination unit 19 determines that the shock wave mode is superior (step S25, Yes), it notifies the focus instruction unit 15 that the coping mode will be the shock wave mode. is executed (step S40). The operating procedure of the heating mode and the operating procedure of the shock wave mode will be described later.

After receiving an image capturing instruction from the position calculation unit 18, the camera 60 repeats the process of capturing an image in the visual axis direction (step S21) and the 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 has been dealt with based on the image output by the position calculation unit 18 (step S22). If the countermeasures have not been completed (step S23, No), the laser irradiation device 100 returns to the process of step S14 and repeats the processes from 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 beam. Specifically, the determination unit 19 notifies the focus instruction unit 15 of the completion of the countermeasure, and the focus instruction unit 15 notifies the high-power laser control unit 14 of the completion of the countermeasure. The focus instruction section 15 completes control of the focus controller 57 , and the high-power laser control section 14 completes control of the high-power laser light source 31 .

The laser irradiation device 100 displays the operation 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 operating procedure of the heating mode and the operating procedure of the shock wave mode will be described.

<Operating procedure of heating mode>
FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing operation procedures in a heating mode by the laser irradiation device according to the embodiment. When determining that the heating mode is superior, the determination unit 19 notifies the focus instruction unit 15 that the heating mode is superior.

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

The focus controller 57 adjusts the focus position irradiated with the high-power laser light based on the focus control signal received from the focus instruction unit 15 (step S30b). A focus controller 57 adjusts the focal position of the high-power laser beam 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 it to the high-power laser light source 31. FIG.

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

The high-power laser optical system 56 shapes the high-power laser light output from the high-power laser light source 31, adjusts the focal position, and outputs it in the direction of the visual axis 64 to continuously irradiate the threat (step S30e). Thereby, the laser irradiation device 100 heats the threat with the high-power laser beam.

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

Based on the distance to the threat calculated by the distance calculator 16, the focus instruction unit 15 calculates the focal position where the shock wave efficiently propagates to the threat, and generates a focus control signal (step S40a). If there are multiple threats, the focus instruction unit 15 calculates the focus position based on the distribution of threats. The focus instruction section 15 outputs the generated focus control signal to the focus controller 57 . The focus instruction unit 15 also outputs an instruction to output the high-output laser beam to the high-output laser control unit 14 .

The focus controller 57 adjusts the focus position irradiated with the high-power laser light based on the focus control signal received from the focus instruction unit 15 (step S40b). A focus controller 57 adjusts the focal position of the high-power laser beam emitted by the high-power laser optical system 56 .

The high-power laser controller 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 controller 14 (step S40d). This high-power laser beam is sent to a high-power laser optical system 56 .

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

In addition, 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 description of the processing of steps S30 and S40 by the laser irradiation device 100 described above will be given. Although FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 describe the case where there is one laser irradiation device 100 for coping with threats, multiple laser irradiation devices may coping with threats.

5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining a process when two laser irradiation apparatuses according to the embodiment execute the heating mode. 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 capable of coping with threats in a heating mode like 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 a master laser irradiation device, and the other is a 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 between the laser irradiation devices 201 and 202 . The threat information may be acquired by a device (threat information acquisition device) other than the laser irradiation devices 201 and 202 and transmitted to the laser irradiation devices 201 and 202 by the threat information acquisition device.

The laser irradiation devices 201 and 202 converge a high-output laser beam 201a output by the laser irradiation device 201 and a high-output laser beam 202a output by the laser irradiation device 202 at a threat 250, so that the laser irradiation device 100 The threat 250 can be heated by a high-power laser beam that is more powerful than the output high-power laser beam. Also, the number of laser irradiation devices may be three or more.

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

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining processing when two laser irradiation apparatuses according to the embodiment execute shock wave mode countermeasures. Here, a case will be described in which a laser irradiation device 301, which is the first laser irradiation device, and a laser irradiation device 302, which is the second laser irradiation device, are used to deal with the shock wave mode. The laser irradiation devices 301 and 302 are laser irradiation devices capable of coping with the threat 250 in shock wave mode like 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 a master laser irradiation device, and the other is a slave laser irradiation device. By transmitting the threat information acquired by the master laser irradiation device to the slave laser irradiation devices, the threat information can be shared between the laser irradiation devices 301 and 302 . The threat information may be acquired by a threat information acquisition device other than the laser irradiation devices 301 and 302 and transmitted to the laser irradiation devices 301 and 302 by the threat information acquisition device.

The laser irradiation devices 301 and 302 converge a high-output laser beam 301a output by the laser irradiation device 301 and a high-output laser beam 302a output by the laser irradiation device 302 near the threat 250 (focus position). , a shock wave 310 stronger than the shock wave generated by the laser irradiation device 100 can be locally generated. Note that the number of laser irradiation devices that locally generate the shock waves 310 may be three or more.

Also, when the shock wave 310 cannot be generated by a single laser irradiation device, the laser irradiation devices 301 and 302 focus the high-power laser beams 301a and 302a near the threat 250, thereby generating the shock wave 310. may occur.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining processing when three laser irradiation apparatuses according to the embodiment execute shock wave mode countermeasures. Here, a laser irradiation device 401 that is a first laser irradiation device, a laser irradiation device 402 that is a second laser irradiation device, and a laser irradiation device 403 that is a third laser irradiation device are used to generate a shock wave mode. A case of executing countermeasures will be described.

The laser irradiation devices 401 to 403 are laser irradiation devices capable of coping with the threat 250 in shock wave mode like the laser irradiation device 100 . The laser irradiation devices 401-403 share threat information including angle information, distance information and irradiation position. One of the laser irradiation devices 401 to 403 is a 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 devices, the threat information can be shared among the laser irradiation devices 401 to 403 . The threat information may be acquired by a threat information acquisition device other than the laser irradiation devices 401 to 403, and transmitted to the laser irradiation devices 401 to 403 by the threat information acquisition device.

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

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 , to generate a third shock wave at a third location. As a result, the laser irradiation devices 401 to 403 can form shock wave fronts 410 composed of a plurality of shock waves in space, and the plurality of shock wave fronts 410 can generate a protective net. Note that the number of laser irradiation devices that form the shock wave surface 410 may be two or a plurality of four or more.

For example, threats 250 may fly in formation. In this case, the laser irradiation devices 401 to 403 form a shock wave front 410 parallel to the formation line.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the laser irradiation device 100 can interrupt the threatening action in a short time by the shock wave mode. That is, the laser irradiation apparatus 100 can deal with threats that cannot be dealt with in the heating mode in time in the shock wave mode. For example, even if a number of threats exceeding the ability to cope with the heating mode invade, the laser irradiation device 100 can impact many threats in a short time by the shock wave mode. In this way, the shock wave mode takes less time to deal with than the heating mode, so it is possible to protect the object to be protected against threats existing at a short distance from the laser irradiation device 100, and to protect the object to be protected from multiple threats with a single action. can protect

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

In addition, 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 possible to select a coping mode that can be effectively dealt with.

In addition, each of the multiple laser irradiation devices can generate a shock wave with higher energy than the shock wave generated by one laser irradiation device by concentrating high-power laser light at a specific position near the threat. can.

In addition, each of the multiple laser irradiation devices irradiates high-power laser light so that multiple shock waves are generated in the space, providing a wider range of protection than the shock wave protection net formed by a single laser irradiation device. You can create a net.

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

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

A memory 502 stores a program for executing the functions of the signal processing unit 13 . The processor 501 reads out and executes a program stored in the memory 502 to execute processing by the signal processing unit 13 . 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 section 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 non-transitory recording medium containing a plurality of computer-executable instructions for performing data processing. .

Note that the processor 501 and memory 502 shown in FIG. 8 may be replaced with the processing circuit 503 shown in FIG. The processing circuit 503 is, 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. The functions of the signal processing unit 13 may be partly realized by dedicated hardware and partly by software or firmware.

The configuration shown in the above embodiment shows an example of the content of the present invention, and it is possible to combine it with another known technology, and one configuration can be used without departing from the scope 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 instruction unit, 16 distance calculation unit, 17 visual axis instruction unit, 18 position calculation unit, 19 determination unit, 30 high-power laser device, 31 high-power laser light source, 50 laser directing device, 51 sensor head unit, 52 gimbal, 53 irradiation optical unit, 54 distance measuring unit, 55 imaging unit, 56 high-power laser optical system, 57 focus controller , 58 distance measuring laser, 59 receiver, 60 camera, 64 visual axis, 100, 201, 202, 301, 302, 401 to 403 laser irradiation device, 201a, 202a, 301a, 302a, 401a, 402a, 403a high output Laser light, 250 threat, 310 shock wave, 410 shock wave front, 501 processor, 502 memory, 504 interface, 503 processing circuit.

Claims (7)

a laser light source that generates laser light;
The focal position of the laser beam is determined based on angle information indicating the azimuth angle and elevation angle at which the object to be dealt with using the laser beam exists and distance information indicating the distance to the object. a directing system controller;
a laser pointing 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 irradiates the laser beam to the focal position, which is a position away from the target, to cause dielectric breakdown of the atmosphere at the focal position, and a shock wave generated at the dielectric breakdown propagates to the target. having the ability to deal with said object in a shock wave mode that causes
The system controller includes a focus instruction unit that calculates the focal position at which the shock wave efficiently propagates to the object, and instructs the laser pointing device to calculate the focal position calculated by the focus instruction unit,
When there are a plurality of the objects, the focus instruction unit calculates the focus position based on the distribution of the objects.
A laser irradiation device characterized by: The laser pointing device further has a function of treating the object in a heating mode in which the object is heated by irradiating the object with the laser beam,
The system controller causes the laser pointing device to deal with the object in the shock wave mode if the first condition is satisfied, and causes the laser pointing device to deal with the object in the heating mode if the first condition is not satisfied. to deal with said object;
2. The laser irradiation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first condition is that the number of objects is a specific number or more, the distribution of the objects is wider than a specific range , and the objects are of a specific type.
3. The laser irradiation device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The laser pointing device has an imaging unit that captures an image of the target,
The system control device determines the type of the object based on the image, and controls the focus position based on the type of the object.
4. The laser irradiation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The object is a flying object or a living organism,
The laser irradiation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that: a first laser irradiation device;
a second laser irradiation device;
and
The first laser irradiation device and the second laser irradiation device, respectively,
a laser light source that generates laser light;
The focal position of the laser beam is determined based on angle information indicating the azimuth angle and elevation angle at which the object to be dealt with using the laser beam exists and distance information indicating the distance to the object. a directing system controller;
a laser pointing device that controls the focal position based on an instruction from the system control device and irradiates the laser beam;
with
A laser directing device included in the first laser irradiation device irradiates a first laser beam to the focal position, which is a position away from the object, and
A laser directing device included in the second laser irradiation device irradiates the focal position with a second laser beam,
dielectric breakdown of the air at the focal position by the first laser beam and the second laser beam irradiated to the focal position, and propagating a shock wave generated upon dielectric breakdown to the object ;
A system control device included in the first laser irradiation device includes a focus instruction unit that calculates the focal position at which the shock wave efficiently propagates to the object, and the focal position calculated by the focus instruction unit instructing the laser directing device provided in one laser irradiation device and the second laser irradiation device,
When there are a plurality of objects, the focus instruction unit calculates the focal position based on the distribution of the objects, and the system controller provided in the first laser irradiation device causes the focus instruction unit to calculate instructing the laser pointing device and the second laser irradiation device provided in the first laser irradiation device of the focal position obtained;
A laser irradiation system characterized by: a first laser irradiation device;
a second laser irradiation device;
and
The first laser irradiation device and the second laser irradiation device, respectively,
a laser light source that generates laser light;
The focal position of the laser beam is determined based on angle information indicating the azimuth angle and elevation angle at which the object to be dealt with using the laser beam exists and distance information indicating the distance to the object. a directing system controller;
a laser pointing device that controls the focal position based on an instruction from the system control device and irradiates the laser beam;
with
A laser directing device included in the first laser irradiation device irradiates a first laser beam to a first focal position which is a position away from the object, thereby causing a dielectric breakdown of the atmosphere at the first focal position. and propagating a first shock wave generated upon dielectric breakdown at the first focus position to the object,
A laser directing device provided in the second laser irradiation device irradiates a second laser beam to a second focal position which is a position away from the object, thereby causing a dielectric breakdown of the atmosphere at the second focal position. and propagating a second shock wave generated upon dielectric breakdown at the second focal position to the object,
propagating the first shock wave and the second shock wave to the object ;
A system control device included in the first laser irradiation device includes a first focus instruction unit that calculates the focus position at which the first shock wave efficiently propagates to the object, and the first focus instruction unit indicates the calculated focal position to a laser pointing device provided in the first laser irradiation device,
When there are a plurality of the objects, the first focus instruction unit calculates the focal position based on the distribution of the objects, and the system controller provided in the first laser irradiation device controls the first instructing the focus position calculated by the focus instruction unit of the laser pointing device provided in the first laser irradiation device,
A system control device included in the second laser irradiation device includes a second focus instruction unit that calculates the focus position at which the second shock wave efficiently propagates to the object, and the second focus instruction unit indicates the calculated focal position to a laser pointing device provided in the second laser irradiation device,
When there are a plurality of the objects, the second focus instruction unit calculates the focal position based on the distribution of the objects, and the system controller included in the second laser irradiation device controls the second instructing the focus position calculated by the focus instruction unit of to the laser pointing device provided in the second laser irradiation device;
A laser irradiation system characterized by:

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