IR Seeking Guidance for a Missle Project

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the engineering project of creating an infrared (IR) guided rocket. Participants explore the differences between laser guidance and IR/heat-seeking guidance, particularly focusing on why laser-guided missiles do not track the sun. The conversation includes requests for schematics and technical insights related to missile guidance systems.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses interest in creating an IR guided rocket and questions why laser guided missiles do not track the sun.
  • Another participant clarifies the distinction between laser guidance and IR/heat-seeking guidance, asking for confirmation on which type the original poster is referring to.
  • The original poster confirms they are asking about IR seeking, which targets IR light emissions rather than following a guidance beam.
  • A participant provides links to external resources discussing why heat-seeking missiles, like the Aim-9 Sidewinder, do not track the sun.
  • Another participant explains that laser-guided missiles home in on a reflected signal, which is modulated to produce an AC signal to filter out the sun's DC signal, suggesting that this method allows for multiple missiles to be designated simultaneously without confusion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the distinction between laser guidance and IR seeking, but the discussion remains unresolved regarding the specifics of how IR guidance systems operate compared to laser guidance.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the technical details of IR guidance systems and the specific mechanisms that prevent tracking of the sun, as well as the need for further clarification on the differences between guidance types.

Tracey3
So I am starting brainstorming on my engineering project. I am quite set on creating IR guided rocket :biggrin: I am not very knowledgeable yet with wavelengths and optical sensors and there is one question that bothers me.

How and why laser guided missiles don't track the sun? Also if anyone has any schematics on how its done, It would be appreciated as I unfortunately don't have an AGM-65 Maverick lying around the house to dismantle :frown:
 
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Tracey3 said:
So I am starting brainstorming on my engineering project. I am quite set on creating IR guided rocket :biggrin: I am not very knowledgeable yet with wavelengths and optical sensors and there is one question that bothers me.

How and why laser guided missiles don't track the sun? Also if anyone has any schematics on how its done, It would be appreciated as I unfortunately don't have an AGM-65 Maverick lying around the house to dismantle :frown:
Fun project! There is a difference between laser guidance (as in your title) and IR/heat-seeking guidance (what you ask about in your post). Can you say what the difference is, and which you are asking about? I can adjust your thread title if needed. :smile:
 
berkeman said:
Fun project! There is a difference between laser guidance (as in your title) and IR/heat-seeking guidance (what you ask about in your post). Can you say what the difference is, and which you are asking about? I can adjust your thread title if needed. :smile:

My bad for being unclear, I am referring to IR seeking which would seek out IR light emission rather than one that would follow a guidance beam. If you wouldn't mind adjusting the title I would appreciate it.
 
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Tracey3 said:
How and why laser guided missiles don't track the sun?

The target is designated by someone/something pointing a laser at it and the missile homes in on the reflected signal. The reflected signal is quite weak so it has to be amplified. It's quite hard making a high gain DC amplifier so the laser is modulated to produce an AC signal. That makes it easier to amplify the reflected signal and easier to filter out the sun which is essentially DC.

I imagine that if each target designator used a slightly different AC signal (or data was encoded in it) you could designate and launch multiple laser guided missiles at the same time and they wouldn't get confused as to which target they should hit.

Edit: Using AC is a common instrumentation trick.
 
CWatters said:
The target is designated by someone/something pointing a laser at it and the missile homes in on the reflected signal. The reflected signal is quite weak so it has to be amplified. It's quite hard making a high gain DC amplifier so the laser is modulated to produce an AC signal. That makes it easier to amplify the reflected signal and easier to filter out the sun which is essentially DC.

I imagine that if each target designator used a slightly different AC signal (or data was encoded in it) you could designate and launch multiple laser guided missiles at the same time and they wouldn't get confused as to which target they should hit.

Edit: Using AC is a common instrumentation trick.
that is laser guided, not IR heat seeking that the OP is wanting to know about :wink:

check out Berkeman's links for good infoDave
 

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