Common Collimator Approach To Alignment And Performance Testing Of Laser Ranger Designators And Thermal Imaging Systems

F. M. Dickey; J. R. White; R. H. Allen; R. L. Sledge

doi:10.1117/12.7972806

1 October 1981 Common Collimator Approach To Alignment And Performance Testing Of Laser Ranger Designators And Thermal Imaging Systems

F. M. Dickey, J. R. White, R. H. Allen, R. L. Sledge

Author Affiliations +

Optical Engineering, Vol. 20, Issue 5, 205765 (October 1981). https://doi.org/10.1117/12.7972806

Abstract

This paper discusses a common reflective collimator approach to the alignment and testing of laser ranger/designators and thermal imaging systems mounted on common carriers. All test measurements are made at a common focal plane. A large aperture reflective common collimator is capable of testing multispectral systems independent of configuration as long as the total aperture of the system to be tested is less than the aperture of the collimator. An analysis of the test system capabilities with respect to measurement of imaging system performance, boresight of imaging system or laser receiver to laser transmitter, and measurement of laser transmitter parameters is outlined. A shearing plate technique for accurate focusing of the test collimator is discussed. The shearing plate technique is suitable for field use and can provide a focus accuracy on the order of tens of microradians.

Citation Download Citation

F. M. Dickey, J. R. White, R. H. Allen, and R. L. Sledge "Common Collimator Approach To Alignment And Performance Testing Of Laser Ranger Designators And Thermal Imaging Systems," Optical Engineering 20(5), 205765 (1 October 1981). https://doi.org/10.1117/12.7972806

Published: 1 October 1981

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available