The development trends of tank laser rangefinders

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34169/2414-0651.2021.2(30).54-59
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Abstract

The article considers the development trends of tank laser rangefinders. The subject of research is a laser rangefinder. The purpose of this work is to identify current trends in the development of laser rangefinders and additional requirements, related to the masking of tanks in the IR range, the requirements that need to be addressed.
The existing tank laser rangefinders in modern aiming systems are analyzed and the tendencies of choosing their working avelength and the main instrument components of pulsed lasers and high-speed photodetectors are determined. The prospects of using a laser radiation source with diode pumping and a working wavelength of 1.54 μm are substantiated. For this wavelength, it is possible to create powerful lasers with LED pumping, which provides compactness and high reliability. It is advisable to use as a photodetector Ge p-i-n photodetector developed in the Institute of Semiconductor Physics by V.Ye. Lashkaryov of NAS of Ukraine, the efficiency of which, as part of a pulsed laser rangefinder was studied in the work. One of the advantages of such a hotodetector is the presence of an input silicon filter, which not only reduces the illumination by external sources, but also allows to significantly increase the resistance to special interference. Due to the widespread tendency to mask tanks in the infrared (thermal) range, laser aiming and rangefinder systems have additional requirements that need to be addressed as soon as possible. One way to do this is to use two wavebands and artificial intelligence to analyze the image. The trend in the development of laser rangefiders is associated with the creation of new laser materials at an eye-safe wavelength of 1.54 μm with diode «pumping», which signifiantly increases reliability, reduces size and power consumption. For these systems, the use of a highly sensitive germanium p-i-n photodiode is recommended as a photodetector.
To solve the problem of creating promising aiming systems based on photodetective p-i-n structures that will detect masked objects, we recommend using two wavelengths in the infrared range at the same time. It is advisable to use artificial intelligence to process the results in such systems and detect the masked object.
The results can be applied in the field of optics and electronics, in particular, to create laser rangefinders.

Author Biographies
  1. Artem Fedorenko, V. Lashkaryov Institute of Semiconductor Physics NAS of Ukraine

    General engineer
    of V. Lashkaryov Institute of Semiconductor Physics NAS of Ukraine,
    Kyiv, Ukraine

  2. Vasyl Ryzhyh, Central Scientific Research Institute of Armament and Military Equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

    Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor
    General Researcher of Central Research Institute of Armament and Military Equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,
    Kyiv, Ukraine

  3. Volodymyr Maslov, V. Lashkaryov Institute of Semiconductor Physics NAS of Ukraine

    Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor
    Head of Department of V. Lashkaryov Institute of Semiconductor Physics NAS of Ukraine,
    Kyiv, Ukraine

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Published
2022-02-07
Issue
Vol. 30 No. 2 (2021): Weapons and military equipment
Section
TARGET ACQUISITION & SIGHTING SYSTEMS
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How to Cite

The development trends of tank laser rangefinders. (2022). Weapons and Military Equipment, 30(2), 54-59. https://doi.org/10.34169/2414-0651.2021.2(30).54-59

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