Our Projects

IR Tracking Radiometer

To assist in measuring the performance of IR weapon systems against targets and their counter-measures, it is often very useful to be able to track and quantify the irradiance of a target and/or its counter-measures. IR tracking radiometers perform these tasks.

The common method for constructing a radiometer is to use an existing IR missile guidance control section (GCS). This provides the optical sensor and tracking capabilities needed. Adding a separate electronic package, we can measure the irradiance and target position. In addition to the irradiance measurements, other features are often incorporated (i.e.,cage/track control, CCM control, etc.).

For airborne systems, the radiometer electronics are mounted internally inside the missile GCS (see Figure 1). The modifications to the missile consist of removing the canard section and integrating an internal carriage containing the radiometer electronics.

Figure 1

Not yet discussed is how the information of a given flight is logged and given to the user. Our radiometer design incorporates solid state memory storage to record the irradiance measurements, time, position and control modes for the flight. Once the seeker is placed in 'Track' mode the radiometer begins recording data. We will describe how a user may perform a typical test scenario below.

Operation

A typical test is described as follows:

  1. The group-based personnel will initialize the radiometer by cleaning the data memory, setting time, and initializing any other parameters.
  2. After takeoff the pilot will "lock-on" to a target. (Alternately if deployed on a high speed test track the radiometer could be "locked-on" to the target prior to launch.) In either case, once tracking the target, the radiometer begins recording data.
  3. After the test, data is downloaded from the radiometer through a serial connection into a portable computer. Graphical routines can be used to look at the irradiance measurements, the position of the seeker gimbal, and any other pertinent information recorded.

*Note: Prior to use, the radiometer is calibrated to provide accurate measure of irradiance

Radiometer Electronics

The radiometer electronics are constructed from surface mount devices located on two circuit boards. The PackRat board performs the control functions, data recording and user interface while the radiometer board performs signal processing and the missile interface (see Figure 2). A rigid mezzanine connector is used for attaching the two boards.

Figure 2 Radiometer Electronics

Radiometer Features

 

 

 

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Generic Tracking Radiometer
IR Tracking Radiometer
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Raven Display Unit
Steel Phoenix
Exoskeleton
Warhead: Data Collector
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CATS I, CATS II
Sleep Assist Prototype
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Ninth Battery Charger
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Ethernet com. analyzer