ARETE ASSOCIATES — Department of Defense SBIR Phase II: A20-052

Description

The Army has identified potential shortcomings in the handheld designator technology of future compact designator systems.  A smaller, lighter laser designator system will enhance the soldier’s mobility and reduce fatigue.  A miniature, lightweight laser beam stabilizer component is required to maintain the required volume and weight of the handheld laser designator.  To address this problem, Areté proposes a design for a stabilized handheld laser designator.  The approach developed to mitigate hand tremor, utilizes a miniature beam stabilization technique that is integrated into the beam expander of the laser designator.  The design meets the performance metrics as defined by the system requirements.  Areté’s specific approach uses a low risk lens shift technique that is able to meet the large angular dynamic range while simultaneously meeting the necessary precision.  Areté has shown both a low risk and moderate risk lens actuator technology to meet the design requirements with a diffraction limited optical design.  The external disturbances (hand tremor) are detected using a MEMS IMU consisting of angular rate gyroscopes and accelerometers.  Real time streaming video from the See-Spot camera is used to provide target track information and error signals to the pointing control.  The measured disturbances are used in the control loop embedded on a processor that sends control signals to the lens actuators to maintain beam stabilization.