Through the air link optical component
First Claim
1. A bi-directional free space optical communications device comprising:
- an acquisition and tracking laser operating at a first emitter wavelength;
a communications laser operating at a second emitter wavelength;
a wavelength restricted retro-reflector comprising a single wavelength pass filter disposed at front of said retro-reflector which allows transmission of only the first emitter wavelength;
a first two-axis scanning device configured to scan a horizon in a specified pattern using the first emitter wavelength for acquisition and tracking;
a first detector array including an optical filter configured to cause said first detector array to be sensitive to only the first emitter wavelength;
a second detector array including an optical filter configured to cause said second detector array to be sensitive to only the second emitter wavelength;
a first optical aperture which collects light from the acquisition and tracking laser;
a second optical aperture which collects light from the communications laser; and
a processor configured to control said acquisition and tracking laser, said communications laser, and said first scanning device to acquire and maintain tracking at said first emitter wavelength and communications at said second emitter wavelength.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Through-the-Air Link Optical Component is a low Size, Weight, and Power optical communications device that 1) acquires and maintains a broad band communications link between two platforms in line of sight with one another, 2) measures azimuth and elevation angle relative to each platform reference from one TALOC to the communicating TALOC and vice-versa, 3) measures distance between communicating TALOC units, and 4) sees through atmospheric disturbances such as clouds and fog. These remarkable functions open the door to several important derivative capabilities, such as determining absolute positions of all platforms in a community and formation of platform community into a phase array antenna.
20 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A bi-directional free space optical communications device comprising:
-
an acquisition and tracking laser operating at a first emitter wavelength; a communications laser operating at a second emitter wavelength; a wavelength restricted retro-reflector comprising a single wavelength pass filter disposed at front of said retro-reflector which allows transmission of only the first emitter wavelength; a first two-axis scanning device configured to scan a horizon in a specified pattern using the first emitter wavelength for acquisition and tracking; a first detector array including an optical filter configured to cause said first detector array to be sensitive to only the first emitter wavelength; a second detector array including an optical filter configured to cause said second detector array to be sensitive to only the second emitter wavelength; a first optical aperture which collects light from the acquisition and tracking laser; a second optical aperture which collects light from the communications laser; and a processor configured to control said acquisition and tracking laser, said communications laser, and said first scanning device to acquire and maintain tracking at said first emitter wavelength and communications at said second emitter wavelength. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. An optical communication device comprising:
-
a processor configured to provide at least a tracking mode and a communications mode; an input/output interface coupled to the processor; an electro-optic controller coupled to the input/output interface; an acquisition/tracking portion coupled to the electro-optic controller and comprising a tracking laser array coupled to the electro-optic controller via a tracking laser driver; and a tracking detector array coupled to the electro-optic controller via a tracking detector signal processor; and a communication portion coupled to the electro-optic controller and comprising a communications laser coupled to the electro-optic controller via a communications laser driver; and a communications detector coupled to the electro-optic controller via a communications detector signal processor, wherein said acquisition/tracking portion operates using a first wavelength and said communications portion operates using a second wavelength different from said first wavelength. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. An optical communication system comprising:
-
a plurality of platforms comprising a first platform and a second platform, wherein each said platform comprises at least one optical communication device comprising a processor configured to provide at least a tracking mode and a communications mode; an input/output interface coupled to the processor; an electro-optic controller coupled to the input/output interface; an acquisition/tracking portion coupled to the electro-optic controller and comprising a tracking laser array coupled to the electro-optic controller via a tracking laser driver; and a tracking detector array coupled to the electro-optic controller via a tracking detector signal processor; and a communication portion coupled to the electro-optic controller and comprising a communications laser coupled to the electro-optic controller via a communications laser driver; and a communications detector coupled to the electro-optic controller via a communications detector signal processor, wherein said acquisition/tracking portion operates using a first wavelength and said communications portion operates using a second wavelength different from said first wavelength. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
Specification