A method of mitigating jamming of a reflected energy ranging system for an autonomous vehicle is presented. The system comprises at least one transmission antenna, at least two receiving antennas, and a controller comprising a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The method comprises emitting an energy signal with the transmitter antenna, contacting a target with the energy signal, and reflecting the energy signal off the target and back towards the receiving antennas as a reflected energy signal. The method further comprises receiving a composite energy signal comprising at least the reflected energy signal and a jamming energy signal with the at least two receiving antennas, analyzing the composite energy signal with the processor to blindly extract at least the reflected energy signal and the jamming energy signal, and identifying which of at least the reflected energy signal and the jamming energy signal corresponds to the target with the processor.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for a systems and methods for pre-blinding light detectors. An example method may include sending, by a processor of a LIDAR system and at a first time, a signal to a light source of the LIDAR system, the signal causing the light source to provide a light input to a photodetector of the LIDAR system, wherein the light input to the photodetector causes the photodetector to initiate a recovery period. The example method may also include emitting, by a laser of the LIDAR system, a first light pulse into an environment at a second time. The example method may also include receiving, by the photodetector, return light associated with the first light pulse from an object in the environment, the return light reaching the photodetector at a third time, the third time being after the photodetector has ended the recovery period.

In order to improve the failure proneness of methods or devices for optically measuring distances, it is proposed that the measurement pulses for measuring distances are sent out aperiodically.

Example implementations may relate to methods and systems for disturbing or deceiving sensors of robotic devices. Accordingly, a computing system may detect that a robotic device has entered a particular physical region. Responsively, the computing system may then determine at least one type of sensor that is associated with the robotic device and is used to detect reflected illumination that is reflected from an object. Based on the determined at least one type of sensor, the computing system may then select (i) at least one particular type of disturbing illumination and (ii) a target location within the particular physical region. Upon the selection, the computing system may direct at least one light source to emit the selected at least one particular type of disturbing illumination towards the selected target location so as to disturb the reflected illumination detectable by the robotic device using the at least one type of sensor.

Example implementations may relate to methods and systems for disturbing or deceiving sensors of robotic devices. Accordingly, a computing system may detect that a robotic device has entered a particular physical region. Responsively, the computing system may then determine at least one type of sensor that is associated with the robotic device and is used to detect reflected illumination that is reflected from an object. Based on the determined at least one type of sensor, the computing system may then select (i) at least one particular type of disturbing illumination and (ii) a target location within the particular physical region. Upon the selection, the computing system may direct at least one light source to emit the selected at least one particular type of disturbing illumination towards the selected target location so as to disturb the reflected illumination detectable by the robotic device using the at least one type of sensor.

A directed-energy weapon counter measure apparatus and method for modifying a path of a focused electromagnetic energy beam (204) emitted by a directed energy weapon system so as to deflect it from a platform (200), the apparatus comprising an electromagnetic radiation source, communicably coupled to a control system. The control system is configured to create an atmospheric element (202) operative to simulate a physical electromagnetic radiation path modifying device within an atmospheric volume located in the path of the focused electromagnetic radiation beam (204) by causing electromagnetic radiation from the source to be applied to a selected plurality of three-dimensional portions of said atmospheric volume so as to heat and/or ionise the air with in said portions, wherein said selected portions are spatially located together in a substantially unbroken, three-dimensional configuration.

A directed-energy weapon counter measure apparatus and method for modifying a path of a focused electromagnetic energy beam (204) emitted by a directed energy weapon system so as to deflect it from a platform (200), the apparatus comprising an electromagnetic radiation source, communicably coupled to a control system. The control system is configured to create an atmospheric element (202) operative to simulate a physical electromagnetic radiation path modifying device within an atmospheric volume located in the path of the focused electromagnetic radiation beam (204) by causing electromagnetic radiation from the source to be applied to a selected plurality of three-dimensional portions of said atmospheric volume so as to heat and/or ionise the air with in said portions, wherein said selected portions are spatially located together in a substantially unbroken, three-dimensional configuration.

During flight, a military aircraft can use an infrared countermeasures (IRCM) system. The IRCM system can use a wide field of view sensor to detect a spectral signature of a missile and record a coarse estimate of the angular location of the missile. Upon such detection, the IRCM system can trigger a narrow field of view sensor to more finely determine the angular location of the missile. The narrow field of view sensor can emit infrared light toward the missile, which can confuse the guidance system of the missile and can help redirect the missile away from the aircraft. During time intervals when the narrow field of view sensor is not actively locating a missile, the IRCM system can use the narrow field of view sensor to form an infrared communications link with a corresponding narrow field of view sensor of a corresponding IRCM system of another aircraft.

During flight, a military aircraft can use an infrared countermeasures (IRCM) system. The IRCM system can use a wide field of view sensor to detect a spectral signature of a missile and record a coarse estimate of the angular location of the missile. Upon such detection, the IRCM system can trigger a narrow field of view sensor to more finely determine the angular location of the missile. The narrow field of view sensor can emit infrared light toward the missile, which can confuse the guidance system of the missile and can help redirect the missile away from the aircraft. During time intervals when the narrow field of view sensor is not actively locating a missile, the IRCM system can use the narrow field of view sensor to form an infrared communications link with a corresponding narrow field of view sensor of a corresponding IRCM system of another aircraft.

Systems and methods for preventing high-radiant-flux light, such as laser light or a nuclear flash, from causing harm to imaging devices, such as a camera or telescope. In response to detection of high-radiant-flux light, the proposed systems have the feature in common that a shutter is closed sufficiently fast that light from the source will be blocked from reaching the image sensor of the imaging device. Some of the proposed systems include a folded optical path to increase the allowable reaction time to close the shutter.