Abstract: A dual-band (SWIR/visible) optical system operating based on Angles-Only Navigation technology. The SWIR module is optimized for imaging stars. The visible-light sensor is independently optimized for imaging satellites including GPS satellites at night. Preferred embodiment provides continuous high accuracy geo-position solutions day and night (including through the “midnight hole”, when solar-illuminated Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites are not available. Applicants have experimentally validated proposed system by imaging LEO satellites during terminator using a 1-inch diameter telescope and GPS satellites at night during midnight hole using a 5-inch telescope.

Abstract: An aircraft imaging system for night and day imaging at ranges up to and in excess of 100 km with resolution far exceeding the diffraction limit. In a preferred embodiment two separate techniques are utilized on an aircraft to provide for night and day surveillance. The first technique is to provide a multi-aperture active imaging system for daylight imaging. The second technique is to provide a multi-aperture passive imaging system for day and night imaging. In preferred embodiments both techniques are utilized on the aircraft.

Abstract: A celestial compass kit. The kit includes an inclinometer, a camera system with a special telecentric fisheye lens for imaging at least one celestial object and a processor programmed with a celestial catalog providing known positions at specific times of at least one celestial object and algorithms for automatically calculating target direction information based on the inclination of the system as measured by the inclinometer and the known positions of at least one celestial object as provided by the celestial catalog and as imaged by the camera. The telecentric fisheye lens produces an image on the sensor located at or near the focal plane which remains spatially constant within sub-micron accuracies despite thermally produced changes in the focus of the lens.

Abstract: A head mounted display system with at least one retinal display unit having a curved reflector positioned in front of one eye or both eyes of a wearer. The unit includes a first set of three modulated visible-light lasers co-aligned and adapted to provide a laser beam with selectable color and a first scanner unit providing both horizontal and vertical scanning of the laser beam across a portion of the curved reflector in directions so as to produce a reflection of the color laser beam through the pupil of the eye onto a portion of the retina large enough to encompass the fovea.

Abstract: A millimeter wave radio link in which the transceivers have most of its components fabricated on a single chip or chipset of a small number of semiconductor chips. The chip or chipsets when mass produced is expected to make the price of millimeter wave radios comparable to many of the lower-priced microwave radios available today from low-cost foreign suppliers. Preferred embodiments of the present invention operate in the range of about 3.5 Gbps to more than 10 Gbps. The transceivers of a preferred embodiment are designed to receive binary input data at an input data rate in 10.3125 Gbps and to transmit at a transmit data rate in of 10.3125 Gbps utilizing encoded three-bit data symbols on a millimeter carrier wave at E-Band frequencies.

Abstract: A high data rate communication system operating at frequencies greater than 70 MHz and at data rates of about 1.25 Gbps or greater. Preferred embodiments include modulators with a resonant LC circuit including a diode which is back-biased for “off” (i.e., no transmit) and forward biased for “on” (or transmit). The modulator is a part of high performance transceivers for wireless, millimeter wave communications links. A preferred embodiment provides a communication link of more than eight miles which operates within the 71 to 76 GHz portion of the millimeter spectrum and provides data transmission rates of 1.25 Gbps with bit error rates of less than 10?10 . A first transceiver transmits at a first bandwidth and receives at a second bandwidth both within the above spectral range. A second transceiver transmits at the second bandwidth and receives at the first bandwidth.

Abstract: A method for attenuating an optical beam is provided, and in one embodiment, a communication beam and associated alignment beam are generated by a beam generating element. The alignment beam may later be sampled by a sensor that can provide a relative location of the alignment beam with respect to the sensor. The communication beam may then be positioned so that a desired percentage of the communication beam enters an output fiber. Information, such as alignment beam offset, may be used to position the communication beam. In another embodiment, optical beam attenuation may be provided by using one or more reflecting devices, such as a MEMS device. In this configuration, a MEMS device may position a focused communication beam in such a manner that a desired percentage of the communication beam enters an output fiber.

Abstract: A free space laser communication system that maintains dynamic alignment is presented. The system comprises two laser transceivers positioned a distance apart. Each transceiver includes the following components. A beacon laser is provided for transmitting a beacon beam at a first wavelength in a beam having a first divergence. A signal laser is provided for transmitting a signal beam carrying information to be transmitted to the other transceiver. A special telescope system is provided for collecting both the incoming beacon beam and the incoming signal beam from the other transceiver and for transmitting at least an outgoing signal beam. In a preferred embodiment the special telescope images the pupil of the telescope onto a tracking mirror. The tracking mirror pivots at least tilt and tip.

Abstract: A far-field simulator (FFS) which can be accurately calibrated and verified to sub-wavelength optical precision under any applicable test conditions is described. The FFS can be used over a tremendous range of ambient temperatures, and other conditions without detriment to its inherent accuracy. The accuracy is provided by means of interferometric self-reference capability rather than by complex, delicate, and/or extremely expensive metering structures. As such, the described approach provides a test instrument that is highly insensitive to packing, shipping, and other sources of system misalignment, and yet provides alignment accuracy to the extent practically achievable by comparable systems. These preferred embodiments include an FFS with an autostigmatic cube an objective mirror and interferometer optics for calibrating the FFS with precision.

Abstract: A wireless cellular communication system in which groups of cellular base stations communicate with a central office via a narrow-band millimeter wave trunk line. The transceivers are equipped with antennas providing beam divergence small enough to ensure efficient spatial and directional partitioning of the data channels so that an almost unlimited number of transceivers will be able to simultaneously use the same millimeter wave spectrum. In a preferred embodiment the trunk line communication link operates within the 92 to 95 GHz portion of the millimeter spectrum. A large number of base stations are each allocated a few MHz portion of a 900 MHz bandwidth of the millimeter wave trunk line. A first transceiver transmits at a first bandwidth and receives at a second bandwidth both within the above spectral range. A second transceiver transmits at the second bandwidth and receives at the first bandwidth.

Abstract: An optical flow monitor. Fluid flow is determined by correlating two interference signals produced by coherent laser beams passing through a flowing fluid at two spaced-apart paths. The distance between the two paths is known and the correlation of the two signals is used to determine the time required for the fluid to flow between the two paths. In a preferred embodiment actually built and tested by Applicant the correlation is made by having an operator monitor on an oscilloscope the intensities of interference fringes corresponding to each of the two beam paths. Intensity variations in the interference fringes are caused by the same turbulent eddies passing each of the two paths. These turbulent eddies cause fluctuations in the index of refraction of the fluid which produce similar patterns on the oscilloscope which are separated on the oscilloscope time scale by an amount corresponding to the distance between the two beam paths and the flow rate of the fluid.

Abstract: A point-to-point, wireless, millimeter wave trunk line communications link at high data rates in excess of 1 Gbps and at ranges of several miles during normal weather conditions. This link is combined with an Ethernet network to provide high speed digital data communication among a large number of users. In a preferred embodiment a trunk line communication link operates within the 92 to 95 GHz portion of the millimeter spectrum. A first transceiver transmits at a first bandwidth and receives at a second bandwidth both within the above spectral range. A second transceiver transmits at the second bandwidth and receives at the first bandwidth. The transceivers are equipped with antennas providing beam divergence small enough to ensure efficient spatial and directional partitioning of the data channels so that an almost unlimited number of transceivers will be able to simultaneously use the same spectrum.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning the antennas of two transceivers of a point-to-point wireless millimeter wave communications link. A narrow band oscillator power source is substituted for the signal transmitting electronics associated with a first antenna and a power detector is substituted for the signal receiving electronics associated with a second antenna. In preferred embodiments after a first alignment procedure is performed, the procedure is repeated with an oscillator power source connected to the second antenna and a power detector connected to the first antenna. In other preferred embodiments the antennas are pre-aligned using a signaling mirror or a narrow beam search light or laser. After the antennas are aligned the transceiver electronics are reconnected. In preferred embodiments the communication link operates within the 92 to 95 GHz portion of the millimeter spectrum and provides data transmission rates in excess of 155 Mbps.

Abstract: Equipment and methods for aligning the antennas of two transceivers of a point-to-point wireless millimeter wave communications link and keeping them aligned. Each of two communicating antennas is equipped with a telescopic camera connected to a processor programmed to recognize landscape images. The processors are programmed to remember the pattern of the landscape as it appears when the antennas are aligned. Each of the cameras then view the landscape periodically or continuously and if the landscape in view changes by more than a predetermined amount a signal is provided to indicate a misalignment. An operator can then take corrective action or alternatively the antenna system can be configured for remote or automatic realignment based of feedback from the camera.

Abstract: A point-to-point, wireless, millimeter wave communications link providing data transmission rates of over 1 billion bits per second (more than 1 Gbps) at ranges of several miles during normal weather conditions. In a preferred embodiment a communication link operates within the 92 to 95 GHz portion of the millimeter spectrum. A first transceiver transmits at a first bandwidth and receives at a second bandwidth both within the above spectral range. A second transceiver transmits at the second bandwidth and receives at the first bandwidth. The transceivers are equipped with antennas providing divergence of less than 10−4 steradians so that an almost unlimited number of transceivers can use the same spectrum. In a preferred embodiment the first and second spectral ranges are 92.3-93.2 GHz and 94.1-95.0 GHz. During very bad weather conditions this data link will not provide a 10−10 bit-error rate and 99.999% availability.