A Feedforward Compensation Technique for Use in Mitigating Platform Induced Jitter

Abstract

To mitigate jitter in a directed-energy laser system, caused by mechanical vibrations without feedback from the target, a feedforward compensations technique is proposed. The technique requires that the position of the beam at the target be calculated in real time, which is accomplished by determining the exact position and orientation of the platform that fires the laser beam. Once the position of the beam at the target is calculated, it is used in a feedforward control algorithm to mitigate the platform induced jitter. This research demonstrates that it is possible to calculate a beam's position at a target approximately 5 m away with micro-meter accuracy for a complex motion in real time based solely on platform and mirror positions. This calculated beam position is then used in a feedforward compensation technique to mitigate platform induced jitter by over 90%. These results have the potential to improve the aimpoint maintenance on a target and significantly reduce the power required for a directed energy weapon system.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 06, 2010
Accession Number
ADA548933

Entities

People

  • Matthew L. Roberts

Organizations

  • United States Naval Academy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Algorithms
  • Amplifiers
  • Closed Loop Systems
  • Control Systems
  • Detectors
  • Directed Energy Weapons
  • Energy Systems
  • Laser Beams
  • Laser Diodes
  • Lasers
  • Measurement
  • Orientation (Direction)
  • Resonant Frequency
  • United States Naval Academy
  • Weapon Systems
  • Weapons

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Geodesy
  • Military Science and Technology Research and Modernization.
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy