This course was offered in conjunction with the Laser Systems Technology Conference in Orlando, FL. Attendance was restricted to U.S. citizens who are employees of the U.S. government or U.S. government contractors. Instructors: Duration: Full-day course, starts at 0800 CEUs awarded: 0.7 Course Description and Topics: This course is Export Controlled so only US Persons can attend. The course is an overview of the technology and analysis needed to understand and design the beam control systems that accomplish acquisition, pointing and tracking for a laser system. The system could be communications, imaging, or laser deposition, and the technology would still be very similar. The course includes introduction lectures to optics and control theory, developing mathematical models for the various functions required with beam control, as well as the performance equations that describe propagation of a laser beam to a target. The attendees will be given the basic equations necessary to describe beam control system performance. The topic to be covered include:
Intended Audience: The students will obtain an overall understanding of the analysis needed to describe, design, and evaluate a precision pointing and tracking system. The course assumes that the attendee has a basic undergraduate level of engineering and mathematics. The solution of differential equations is used to describe the operation of control systems. Both technical persons and managers should benefit from the development and discussions regarding the operation of beam control systems. Technicians may find the course too analytical. The authors have included many references at the end of each section such that a student in the area may delve much deeper into the material if desired. No experience in the field is required; however, some experience in the field will be helpful since the topics are covered rapidly. Instructor Biographies: Paul Merritt received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Mexico. Retired from Boeing-SVS where he was a Senior Technical Fellow. SPIE Fellow. Taught Control Theory and Random Analyses Classes at UNM. Jobs have included the following: 1974-1983, Air Force Weapons Laboratory, the Airborne Laser Laboratory, responsible for control systems and diagnostics. 1983-1987, Hughes Aircraft, Department Manager for Controls, worked on SDIO laser system concepts and acceptance testing of the SeaLite Beam Director at White Sands Missile Range. 1987-1992, Air Force Research Laboratory, Surveillance Division. 1992-1997, AFRL, Technical Director of Airborne Laser Technology, responsible for conceptualizing and conducting tests to show the viability of the ABL weapon systems. 1997-2003, Boeing-SVS, Enabling Technology Enterprise Lead, worked on controls for Space Based Laser, and field testing of the Tactical High Energy Laser. Organized and taught ATP course at Boeing-SVS (2 times), at meetings of DEPS (3 times), and SPIE company class (2 times). Tim Howard received his M.S. in Physics from Memphis State University, Memphis, TN. Boeing Associate Technical Fellow, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Associate Fellow, NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts Fellow. A broad background in optical and electronic systems including ground-, air-, and space-based systems, and in applications including tracking, sensing, guidance and control, astronomical instruments, and precision measurement. 1979-1988, Rockwell Autonetics Systems Division, Anaheim, CA, Engineering Specialist, Instruments Engineering. 1988-1991, GENCORP/Aerojet Electronic Systems Division, Azusa, CA, Engineering Specialist, Space Systems Engineering. 1991-1993, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, Project Engineer, Department of Physics and Astronomy. 1993- 1996, Rockwell Systems Development Center, Seal Beach, CA, Senior Engineering Specialist, Advanced Programs. 1996-1998, Boeing North American, Reusable Space Systems Division, Downey, CA, Senior Engineering Specialist, Advanced Programs/Avionics. 1998-present, Boeing-SVS, Southern California and Albuquerque, NM Engineer/Scientist, Systems Engineering. Richard Brunson received his M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology. Boeing Technical Fellow. A broad background in control systems and tracking systems. 1998-present, Boeing-SVS where he has led several beam control and tracking projects including both ground and airborne systems. He has been heavily involved with tracking projects that use correlation techniques to accomplish the line-of-sight pointing. His previous jobs have included: 1993-1998, Aerospace Corporation, where he was involved with the Airborne Laser Project. 1987-1993, Logicon RDA, where he was involved in target tracking and atmospheric wavefront compensation. 1967-1987, active duty in the Air Force where he was involved in space programs, ground based laser technology, and arming and fusing of nuclear weapons.
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