Abstract: An electro-optic system, e.g., mounted to a weapon, measures down range winds and a range-to-target for compensating the ballistic hit point. The system may include an optical light source, collimated to generate a laser spot on the target. The system may include a wind measurement receiver that captures laser light scattered from the target. The captured light may be modulated by atmospheric scintillation eddies, producing optical patterns which change in time and move with the crosswind. These patterns may be analyzed by a processor using covariance techniques in either the time-domain or the frequency-domain to determine path-integrated crosswinds and associated errors. Ranging is done by measuring the time of flight of the laser pulse to the target collecting the scattered signal from the target.

Abstract: A Small Arms Transmitter (SAT) having two optical sources for use in a military training environment is described. The SAT includes an infrared laser as a first optical source. A visible optical source, such as a visible wavelength laser, is configured as a second optical source. The visible wavelength laser can be configured to be selectively energized during a beam alignment operation. A combiner can be configured to combine the beam from the infrared laser with the beam from the visible wavelength laser to produce a combined beam. Certain techniques and/or materials can be utilized such that the SAT undergoes minimal functional change over a wide range of temperatures.

Abstract: An electro-optic system, e.g., mounted to a weapon, measures down range winds and a range-to-target for compensating the ballistic hit point. The system may include an optical light source, collimated to generate a laser spot on the target. The system may include a wind measurement receiver that captures laser light scattered from the target. The captured light may be modulated by atmospheric scintillation eddies, producing optical patterns which change in time and move with the crosswind. These patterns may be analyzed by a processor using covariance techniques in either the time-domain or the frequency-domain to determine path-integrated crosswinds and associated errors. Ranging is done by measuring the time of flight of the laser pulse to the target collecting the scattered signal from the target.

Abstract: An electro-optic system, e.g., mounted to a weapon, measures down range winds and a range-to-target for compensating the ballistic hit point. The system may include an optical light source, collimated to generate a laser spot on the target. The system may include a wind measurement receiver that captures laser light scattered from the target. The captured light may be modulated by atmospheric scintillation eddies, producing optical patterns which change in time and move with the crosswind. These patterns may be analyzed by a processor using covariance techniques in either the time-domain or the frequency-domain to determine path-integrated crosswinds and associated errors. Ranging is done by measuring the time of flight of the laser pulse to the target collecting the scattered signal from the target.

Abstract: An electro-optic system, e.g., mounted to a weapon, measures down range winds and a range-to-target for compensating the ballistic hit point. The system may include an optical light source, collimated to generate a laser spot on the target. The system may include a wind measurement receiver that captures laser light scattered from the target. The captured light may be modulated by atmospheric scintillation eddies, producing optical patterns which change in time and move with the crosswind. These patterns may be analyzed by a processor using covariance techniques to determine path-integrated crosswinds and associated errors. Ranging is done by measuring the time of flight of the laser pulse to the target collecting the scattered signal from the target. Compensated ballistic hit point, measurement errors and other data may be displayed on a micro-display digital eyepiece, overlaid on the real-time image of the target.

Abstract: An electro-optic system, e.g., mounted to a weapon, measures down range winds and a range-to-target for compensating the ballistic hit point. The system may include an optical light source, collimated to generate a laser spot on the target. The system may include a wind measurement receiver that captures laser light scattered from the target. The captured light may be modulated by atmospheric scintillation eddies, producing optical patterns which change in time and move with the crosswind. These patterns may be analyzed by a processor using covariance techniques to determine path-integrated crosswinds and associated errors. Ranging is done by measuring the time of flight of the laser pulse to the target collecting the scattered signal from the target. Compensated ballistic hit point, measurement errors and other data may be displayed on a micro-display digital eyepiece, overlaid on the real-time image of the target.

Abstract: An electro-optic system, e.g., mounted to a weapon, measures down range winds and a range-to-target for compensating the ballistic hit point. The system may include an optical light source, collimated to generate a laser spot on the target. The system may include a wind measurement receiver that captures laser light scattered from the target. The captured light may be modulated by atmospheric scintillation eddies, producing optical patterns which change in time and move with the crosswind. These patterns may be analyzed by a processor using covariance techniques in either the time-domain or the frequency-domain to determine path-integrated crosswinds and associated errors. Ranging is done by measuring the time of flight of the laser pulse to the target collecting the scattered signal from the target.

Abstract: A Small Arms Transmitter (SAT) having two optical sources for use in a military training environment is described. The SAT includes an infrared laser as a first optical source. A visible optical source, such as a visible wavelength laser, is configured as a second optical source. The visible wavelength laser can be configured to be selectively energized during a beam alignment operation. A combiner can be configured to combine the beam from the infrared laser with the beam from the visible wavelength laser to produce a combined beam. The optical axis of the combined infrared and visible wavelength lasers can be adjusted using an optical steering module. A first optical steering module can be configured to steer the combined beam substantially along a first axis, while a second optical steering module can be configured to steer the combined beam along a second axis substantially orthogonal to the first axis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward systems for conducting laser range and enabling optical communication between a plurality of entities and to the application of such systems in a secure covert combat identification system. In one embodiment, the present invention uses a novel laser system that generates high pulse rates, as required for optical communications, while concurrently generating sufficiently high power levels, as required by laser range finding operations. One application of the present invention is in enabling secure covert communications between a plurality of parties. Another application of the present invention is in tracking and identifying the movement of objects.

Abstract: A combat IFF system, for use in a combat exercise or on the battlefield, including a helmet-mounted passive IFF response unit and a weapon-mounted IFF interrogatory unit for each soldier. Infrared (IR) signals are employed for both challenge and response. The IR response signal is a very narrowly-targeted reflection of the relatively narrow IR transmit signal, thereby minimizing interception opportunities. The transmit and response signals are encoded in a transaction that cannot be compromised even when either or both signals are intercepted and decoded by the enemy. The combat IFF system includes biometric anti-spoofing features that prevent any use by an enemy in possession of captured units. Military radio-frequency (RF) spectrum is not required so there are no bandwidth limitations on simultaneous IFF transactions in the battlefield. A combat IFF transaction is completed in milliseconds.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward systems for conducting laser range and enabling optical communication between a plurality of entities and to the application of such systems in a secure covert combat identification system. In one embodiment, the present invention uses a novel laser system that generates high pulse rates, as required for optical communications, while concurrently generating sufficiently high power levels, as required by laser range finding operations. One application of the present invention is in enabling secure covert communications between a plurality of parties. Another application of the present invention is in tracking and identifying the movement of objects.

Abstract: A dynamic optical tag system and method that allows for operation over a wide temperature range. A variable wavelength optical source, such as a dual wavelength fiber laser, is generated by combining the outputs from two distributed feedback lasers having separate operating wavelengths using a wavelength division multiplexer (WDM). A quantum well optical modulator mounted on the front surface of a retro-reflector in the remote receiver end of the communication link is biased to modulate one of the two laser wavelengths. At higher temperatures, the optical modulator can be biased to operate at the wavelength of one of the two lasers. At a lower temperature, the optical modulator can be biased to operate at the second of the two wavelengths. The DC bias required to tune the optical modulator is reduced by operating at two separate wavelengths depending on temperature.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward systems for conducting laser range and enabling optical communication between a plurality of entities and to the application of such systems in a secure covert combat identification system. In one embodiment, the present invention uses a novel laser system that generates high pulse rates, as required for optical communications, while concurrently generating sufficiently high power levels, as required by laser range finding operations. One application of the present invention is in enabling secure covert communications between a plurality of parties. Another application of the present invention is in tracking and identifying the movement of objects.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward systems for conducting laser range and enabling optical communication between a plurality of entities and to the application of such systems in a secure covert combat identification system. In one embodiment, the present invention uses a novel laser system that generates high pulse rates, as required for optical communications, while concurrently generating sufficiently high power levels, as required by laser range finding operations. One application of the present invention is in enabling secure covert communications between a plurality of parties. Another application of the present invention is in tracking and identifying the movement of objects.

Abstract: A combat IFF system, for use in a combat exercise or on the battlefield, including a helmet-mounted passive IFF response unit and a weapon-mounted IFF interrogatory unit for each soldier. Infrared (IR) signals are employed for both challenge and response. The IR response signal is a very narrowly-targeted reflection of the relatively narrow IR transmit signal, thereby minimizing interception opportunities. The transmit and response signals are encoded in a transaction that cannot be compromised even when either or both signals are intercepted and decoded by the enemy. The combat IFF system includes biometric anti-spoofing features that prevent any use by an enemy in possession of captured units. Military radio-frequency (RF) spectrum is not required so there are no bandwidth limitations on simultaneous IFF transactions in the battlefield. A combat IFF transaction is completed in milliseconds.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward systems for conducting laser range and enabling optical communication between a plurality of entities and to the application of such systems in a secure covert combat identification system. In one embodiment, the present invention uses a novel laser system that generates high pulse rates, as required for optical communications, while concurrently generating sufficiently high power levels, as required by laser range finding operations. One application of the present invention is in enabling secure covert communications between a plurality of parties. Another application of the present invention is in tracking and identifying the movement of objects.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward systems for conducting laser range and enabling optical communication between a plurality of entities and to the application of such systems in a secure covert combat identification system. In one embodiment, the present invention uses a novel laser system that generates high pulse rates, as required for optical communications, while concurrently generating sufficiently high power levels, as required by laser range finding operations. One application of the present invention is in enabling secure covert communications between a plurality of parties. Another application of the present invention is in tracking and identifying the movement of objects.

Abstract: A Small Arms Transmitter (SAT) having two optical sources for use in a military training environment is described. The SAT includes an infrared laser as a first optical source. A visible optical source, such as a visible wavelength laser, is configured as a second optical source. The visible wavelength laser can be configured to be selectively energized during a beam alignment operation. A combiner can be configured to combine the. beam from the infrared laser with the beam from the visible wavelength laser to produce a combined beam. The optical axis of the combined infrared and visible wavelength lasers can be adjusted using an optical steering module. A first optical steering module can be configured to steer the combined beam substantially along a first axis, while a second optical steering module can be configured to steer the combined beam along a second axis substantially orthogonal to the first axis.

Abstract: A combat IFF system, for use in a combat exercise or on the battlefield, including a helmet-mounted passive IFF response unit and a weapon-mounted IFF interrogatory unit for each soldier. Infrared (IR) signals are employed for both challenge and response. The IR response signal is a very narrowly-targeted reflection of the relatively narrow IR transmit signal, thereby minimizing interception opportunities. The transmit and response signals are encoded in a transaction that cannot be compromised even when either or both signals are intercepted and decoded by the enemy. The combat IFF system includes biometric anti-spoofing features that prevent any use by an enemy in possession of captured units. Military radio-frequency (RF) spectrum is not required so there are no bandwidth limitations on simultaneous IFF transactions in the battlefield. A combat IFF transaction is completed in milliseconds.

Abstract: A pulsed fiber laser and associated electronics contained in a miniature package is disclosed. The Pulsed Fiber Laser Source (PFLS) can be a single-stage high gain master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) type fiber laser source. The PFLS can include a distributed feedback (DFB) laser, a narrowband optical filter, a broad area high-power pump diode, and Erbium/Ytterbium (Er/Yb) double cladding doped fiber. Input electrical pulses drive the DFB laser diode to emit optical pulses that are then amplified by the optical amplifier. Active and passive cooling elements may be incorporated for continuous operation without rest time. Passive cooling for intermittent pulsed applications allows the laser source to be miniaturized by eliminating active cooling elements and associated power supplies and controllers. Low duty cycle relaxes drive requirements and further reduces the size.