Challenges of developing electro-optical testing in a portable configuration

Abstract

The need to deploy quickly and remotely has driven the need for portable test systems. At the same time, performance of Electro-Optical systems has improved dramatically, driving more accurate test requirements. The Man-Portable ElectroOptic Test System (MPETS) is being developed to address this need. During the development of MPETS there have been a number of challenges in meeting requirements for testing advanced electro-optical systems in a design that can be easily set up from man- portable shipping containers. Portability includes being able to quickly setup and store a system of minimal volume, such that MPETS may be shipped on a single pallet, and such that two people can carry shipping containers weighing no more than 150 pounds. The system needs to function in an environment with significant temperature, vibration, flatness, and floor stiffness variations. While being designed to support this difficult environment, MPETS must support microradian-level angular accuracies. MPETS must also support Units Under Test (UUTs) and fixtures with varying weights, from 10 to 200 pounds. This paper address the challenges faced during the design and development process, the options considered for addressing these issues, and the approaches selected in the MPETS design to meet these challenges. The MPETS design addresses a wide range of test requirements for a diverse set of UUTs. MPETS supports testing Weapon Replaceable Assemblies (WRAs) / Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) and Shop Replaceable Assemblies (SRAs) / Shop Replaceable Units (SRUs) for Forward Looking InfraRed (FLIR), Visible Cameras, Laser Range Finders, Laser Trackers, Laser Designators, Modulated Sources, and Direct View Optics. Several innovative techniques were used to address these requirements. The novel approaches include modular architecture and vibration isolation combined with the use of a unique system called CLOSAT which stands for continuous line-of-sight autocollimation technique, patent pending. The use of these techniques allows MPETS to meet its requirements and provide a novel testing solution for current and emerging UUTs