23-07-2012, 04:44 PM
A NOVEL APPROACH IN DIRECT ENERGY WEAPON SYSTEM
A NOVEL APPROACH IN DIRECT .ppt (Size: 4.39 MB / Downloads: 73)
Abstract
Apple - Adaptive photonic based phase locked elements
Raytheon’s DARPA development initiative
Integrate the laser enabled weapon applications into unmanned aerial vehicles
The idea is to provide electro-optical systems with the same mission flexibility
Performance that microwave phased arrays provide for RF applications such as radar and electronic warfare systems.
INTRODUCTION
APPLE vision
Goal of APPLE
Focus
Raytheon won a $5.8 million contract for the Adaptive Photonic Phase-Locked Elements
WHY LASER WEAPONS?
Laser beams travel at the speed of light, so there is no need for users to compensate for target movement when firing over long distances.
Light has no mass, so is little influenced by gravity, so that long range projection requires little compensation.
Lasers can change frequency to provide an active area that can be much smaller or larger than projectile weaponry.
Given a sufficient power source, laser weapons could essentially have limitless ammunition.
ADVANTAGES OF PHOTONIC PLL
Phase is an extra degree of freedom
Superior utilization of available bandwidth in high speed networks ( use the entire complex plane of the optical field)
Phase modulation formats are inherently more robust, therefore require fewer photons/bit.
Important in long haul communication systems
Phase Controlled Apertures
Coherent Power Combination
Beam steering
Control of focusing distance
Generation and transmission of RF/THz signals on optical carriers