摘要 |
A range extinction simulator system that simulates an outdoor laser test range in a relatively small area, which provides for a computer controlled, electronic laser range simulator used to test laser rangefinders. The system evaluates a laser rangefinder's output energy and programs a laser transmitter to fire into the rangefinder at a specific optical power level needed to simulate a return signal from a target for a given range, atmospheric attenuation, and target reflectivity. This invention allows laser rangefinders to be tested without the necessity of a long distance (typically outdoor) laser range. The system provides for a significant cost savings over current test systems and improves the ability to perform varied tests on laser rangefinders. The specific advantages that are realized are the elimination of the outdoor, fixed range, laser test facility with its associated maintenance and safety problems; the elimination of the necessity to move hardware to be tested from the manufacturing floor or development laboratory to the outdoor laser range for testing; the ability to test laser rangefinders during bad weather; and the ability to test laser rangefinders at variable ranges, target reflectivities, and atmospheric conditions, rather than at a single fixed range, single target reflectivity, and uncontrolled atmospheric conditions.
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