An optical detection system for detecting a hostile optical component without exposing the surrounding to unnecessary hazards is disclosed. The system comprises a laser unit configured to provide an adjustable laser beam along an optical path to scan for the optic component or to act as jammer by providing a target spoofing; a single aperture for the optical path; a detector configured to detect through the single aperture retroreflections of the laser beam at the optical component; and a camera for detecting through the single aperture potential candidates for the hostile optical component.

An optical detection system for detecting a hostile optical component without exposing the surrounding to unnecessary hazards is disclosed. The system comprises a laser unit configured to provide an adjustable laser beam along an optical path to scan for the optic component or to act as jammer by providing a target spoofing; a single aperture for the optical path; a detector configured to detect through the single aperture retroreflections of the laser beam at the optical component; and a camera for detecting through the single aperture potential candidates for the hostile optical component.

A method of identifying an object signature in an environment includes acquiring infrared information from the environment using a detection unit in order to obtain an infrared wavelength spectrum associated with the environment. The method further includes selecting three wavelength bands of the infrared wavelength spectrum using a filtering unit and detecting a presence of the three wavelength bands of the infrared wavelength spectrum in the environment by filtering the selected three wavelength bands using the filtering unit. The method further includes determining an intensity indicator for the three selected wavelength bands using a processing unit and classifying the object signature using the processing unit based on the determined intensity indicator in order to identify the object signature.

A method of identifying an object signature in an environment includes acquiring infrared information from the environment using a detection unit in order to obtain an infrared wavelength spectrum associated with the environment. The method further includes selecting three wavelength bands of the infrared wavelength spectrum using a filtering unit and detecting a presence of the three wavelength bands of the infrared wavelength spectrum in the environment by filtering the selected three wavelength bands using the filtering unit. The method further includes determining an intensity indicator for the three selected wavelength bands using a processing unit and classifying the object signature using the processing unit based on the determined intensity indicator in order to identify the object signature.

A method for detecting incident laser radiation on a spacecraft, whereby incident radiation is detected separately in several discrete spectral ranges, the radiation recorded in the spectral ranges is converted into further processable electrical signals, and the signals are evaluated together. A device for detecting incident laser radiation on a spacecraft is configured to perform such a method.

A method for jamming a target includes aiming a pulsed laser at the target using a tracking system. The pulsed laser emits a pulsed laser beam at the target, thereby generating plasma that causes sound waves equal to or less than 5 ft from the target. The pulsed laser beam is swept with a frequency range to find a target frequency, thereby jamming the target.

A method for jamming a target includes aiming a pulsed laser at the target using a tracking system. The pulsed laser emits a pulsed laser beam at the target, thereby generating plasma that causes sound waves equal to or less than 5 ft from the target. The pulsed laser beam is swept with a frequency range to find a target frequency, thereby jamming the target.

A laser source (340) that generates an output beam (354) that is directed along a beam axis (354A) that is coaxial with a first axis and orthogonal to a second axis comprises a first frame (356), a laser (358), and a first mounting assembly (360). The laser (358) generates the output beam (354) that is directed along the beam axis (354A). The first mounting assembly (360) couples the laser (358) to the first frame (356). The first mounting assembly (360) allows the laser (358) to expand and contract relative to the first frame (356) along the first axis and along the second axis, while maintaining alignment of the output beam (354) so the beam axis (354A) is substantially coaxial with the first axis. The first mounting assembly (360) can include a first fastener assembly (366) that couples the laser (358) to the first frame (356), and a first alignment assembly (368) that maintains alignment of the laser (358) along a first alignment axis (370) that is substantially parallel to the first axis.

A laser source (340) that generates an output beam (354) that is directed along a beam axis (354A) that is coaxial with a first axis and orthogonal to a second axis comprises a first frame (356), a laser (358), and a first mounting assembly (360). The laser (358) generates the output beam (354) that is directed along the beam axis (354A). The first mounting assembly (360) couples the laser (358) to the first frame (356). The first mounting assembly (360) allows the laser (358) to expand and contract relative to the first frame (356) along the first axis and along the second axis, while maintaining alignment of the output beam (354) so the beam axis (354A) is substantially coaxial with the first axis. The first mounting assembly (360) can include a first fastener assembly (366) that couples the laser (358) to the first frame (356), and a first alignment assembly (368) that maintains alignment of the laser (358) along a first alignment axis (370) that is substantially parallel to the first axis.

An autonomous vehicle having a lidar sensor system is described. A computing system is configured to determine that the lidar sensor system is to update a code that is included in light signals emitted by the lidar sensor system. The computing system transmits a command signal to the lidar sensor system, wherein the command signal causes the lidar sensor system to transition from emitting light signals with a first code therein to emitting light signals with a second code therein, wherein the first code is different from the second code.