N161-006 TITLE: Large Aperture Agile Scanning Mirror

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA 264 AIR ASW Systems

OBJECTIVE: Develop a large aperture, agile, scanning mirror for passive and active optical remote sensors.

DESCRIPTION: Remote sensing of low light level signals from an airborne platform requires a large aperture optical system. To achieve good signal-to-noise ratios, scanning of the system aperture across the scene with a limited field of view is preferred over observing the entire scene with a fixed, large field of view. Further, compensating for changes in aircraft motions such as roll and pitch enables a more accurate reconstruction of the scene from the individual snapshots. Current techniques of implementing a scanning imaging system include mechanically moving a mirror and relaying the image to an optical sensor or mechanically moving the entire optical system and sensor, such as in a ball turret. Both solutions, however, have significant size, weight, and power (SWaP) requirements when considering large optical aperture systems.

Development of a large aperture, agile scanning mirror should achieve apertures with diameters of 12 inches (30 centimeters) or greater with sweep angles of +/- 30 degrees at 10 or more sweeps per second, draw 10’s of Watts, and weigh less than 10 pounds by means of innovative techniques [1]. Areas of concern for a next generation scanning system are optical efficiency and platform motion and vibration insensitivity. While current scanning aperture techniques can achieve near 100% optical efficiency, 90% efficiency or greater would be acceptable. Typical platform vibration motion spectra can be found in MIL-STD-810G, Part 2, sections 514.6 Vibration, sub-sections dealing with propeller driven and rotary wing platforms.

The ability for agile scanning addresses both platform movement correction (stabilization) and allows sweep patterns other than line scans. Minimizing size, weight, and power draw of the overall scanning sub-system will allow access to a more diverse group of airborne platforms.

PHASE I: Demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed concept through validated modeling and simulation and identify the primary technical risks of the concept. The Phase I Option, if awarded, should continue to validate the proposed concept in preparation for Phase II.

PHASE II: Develop and demonstrate a working bench-top design for a large aperture, agile, scanning mirror for passive and active optical remote sensors. Sufficiently harden the bench-top design for testing and demonstration under moderate vibration and g-force loading (see MIL-STD-810G, Part 2). Design and develop a working prototype based on the results of the bench-top design. The working prototype must address technical risks, validate the draft specifications, and demonstrate the functionality of the overall design.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Document the design and capabilities of the prototype developed under Phase II. Work with government points of contact to develop specifications and first articles that address unique as well as all other concept elements. Support the Navy by finalizing and validating the agile scanning mirror design based on acquisition program needs. Participate, if necessary, in integrating and testing tasks such that the agile scanning mirror can be mated with existing or new sensor systems. Procurement of multiple units may occur. The development of light weight mirror substrates or large arrays of phase locked mirrors has commercial potential for fast scan applications including terrain mapping LIDAR systems.

REFERENCES:

1. H. Xie. (2010). Development of High-Fill-Factor Large-Aperture Micromirrors for Agile Optical Phased Arrays. Final Project Report. Grant FA9550-08-1-0292.

2. Department of Defense Test Standard Method MIL-STD-810G, 31 October 2008, Section 2, p514.6C1 – 514.6C22, p516.

KEYWORDS: Scanning mirror; large aperture; agile scanner; mirror array; image stabilization; MEMS mirror

TPOC-1: 301-342-2034

TPOC-2: 301-342-0398

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