LASER BEAM STEERING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE IN A DIRECTIONAL INFRARED COUNTERMEASURES SYSTEM

摘要

A laser beam steering module (310) includes an optics assembly (316) that directs a first portion (320) of a laser beam (308) through an output aperture and a second portion (314) along a sensing path. The optics assembly adjusts a position of the laser beam through the output aperture and along the sensing path responsive to position control signals. A sensor array (324) in the sensing path receives the second portion of the laser beam and in response thereto generates electrical beam position signals (326) indicating a position of the laser beam through the output aperture. The electrical beam position signals have values that are a function of a temperature of t sensor array and are used in generating the position control signals to adjust the position of die laser beam as a function of the values of die electrical beam position signals. A thermal stabilization circuit (328) stabilizes die temperature of the sensor array responsive to thermal control signals.