Automatic airspace protection for laser facilities

The Sky Sentry system by Image Labs International will monitor an airspace around an earth based pointable laser line-of-sight and provide laser shutdown when an airplane threatens to intersect the beam path. The patent-pending system includes:

Key Features

• Reliable day-night operation
• Close-in aircraft detection where radar is not effective
• Lightweight sensor head for telescope mounting
• Special features for optimizing certain infrared video signals
• Multiple image capture and tracking
• Parametric sensitivity control
• Object in field of view (FOV) warning to operator
• Automatic laser shutdown
• Wide and narrow field of views for diverse target ranges
• Wide FOV for fast, close planes
• Narrow FOV for small, distant planes
• Automatic logging of images and event conditions
• Automatic laser recovery when all is clear
• Image sequence saves with settable archive period
• Ignores motion of sun or moon
• User friendly GUI interface with advanced help screens for ease of training and use
• Built-in self test
• Options for ruggedized PC and components including mil-spec connectors and cables

Notes:

• Part of an integrated approach to detect aircraft before intersecting potentially harmful lasers.
• For use with laser communications or laser entertainment systems that might intersect aircraft flight paths.
• Used in day or night as part of an integrated laser safety interlock system.
• Reduces the requirement for humans for detection and monitoring intervention.