Abstract: A point-to-point, wireless, millimeter wave communications link between two stations at least one of which is a mobile station. A millimeter wave transmitter system operating at frequencies higher than 57 GHz with a tracking antenna producing a beam having a half-power beam width of about 2 degrees or less and a millimeter wave receiver also with a tracking antenna having a half-power beam width of about 2 degrees or less. In preferred embodiments each mobile station has a global position system (GPS) and a radio transmitter and both tracking antennas are pointed utilizing GPS information from the mobile station or stations. The GPS information preferably is transmitted via a low frequency, low data rate radio. Each millimeter wave unit is capable of transmitting and/or receiving, through the atmosphere, digital information to/from the other station at rates in excess of 155 million bits per second during normal weather conditions.

Abstract: A communication system providing wireless communication among wireless users through a number of cellular base stations. The system includes a connecting station with a millimeter wave wireless transceiver in communication with a fiber optic or high-speed cable communication network. The transceiver is adapted to communicate at millimeter wave frequencies higher than 60 GHz with another millimeter wave transceiver at one of the cellular base stations. Each of the base stations serves a separate communication cell. Each base station is equipped with a low frequency wireless transceiver for communicating with the wireless users within the cell at a radio frequency lower than 6 GHz and a millimeter wave wireless transceiver operating at a millimeter wave frequency higher than 60 GHz for communicating with another millimeter wave transceiver at another base stations or a millimeter wave transceiver at said at the connecting station.

Abstract: An automatic celestial navigation system for navigating both night and day by observation of K-band or H-band infrared light from multiple stars. In a first set of preferred embodiments three relatively large aperture telescopes are rigidly mounted on a movable platform such as a ship or airplane with each telescope being directed at a substantially different portion of sky. Embodiments in this first set tend to be relatively large and heavy, such as about one cubic meter and about 60 pounds. In a second set of preferred embodiments one or more smaller aperture telescopes are pivotably mounted on a movable platform such as a ship, airplane or missile so that the telescope or telescopes can be pivoted to point toward specific regions of the sky. Embodiments of this second set are mechanically more complicated than those of the first set, but are much smaller and lighter and are especially useful for guidance of aircraft and missiles.

Abstract: A high data rate free space communication link operating at millimeter wave frequency ranges. Links include two transceivers, the first transceiver transmitting at a first frequency range and receiving at a second frequency range and a second transceiver transmitting at the second frequency range and receiving at the first frequency range. Each of the two transceivers has a primary tunable oscillator providing a basic frequency signal that is precisely the same for both transceivers. Preferably the primary tunable oscillator in one of the transceivers, the slave oscillator, is slaved to the primary tunable oscillator, the master oscillator, in the other transceiver and the two transceivers are locked in frequency and phase. Also preferably the master oscillator is frequency controlled to maintain a constant number of wavelengths in the millimeter wave radio beams between the two transceivers, at least for periods of time permitting substantial data transmission without change in the number of wavelengths.

Abstract: A device and method for operational switching between line-of-sight wireless communications transceivers requires evaluating a useful received signal strength intensity (RSSI) for a first transceiver, and switching to a second transceiver when the consequent bit error rate (BER) is not useful for the first transceiver. Subsequent switching between the first and second transceivers is accomplished in accordance with a timed sequence regimen that involves variable time delays, and considerations of RSSI changes within determined time periods. Preferably, the first transceiver transmits and receives on a laser beam and the second transceiver transmits and receives on a microwave beam.

Abstract: The present invention provides a large communication network suitable for nationwide or worldwide utilization. A plurality of area code nodes are connected with all-fiber-optic links with all-optical switches. A routing algorithm provides one or more communication links from each area code node to every other area code node so that information never has to change carrier wavelength as it travels the network. Each area code node contains circuits that are provided to connect individual users to the network.

Abstract: A system for directing a communication beam from a transmitter at a first location onto an optical target of a receiver at a second location uses a terrestrial free-space optical data link. The system includes an optical fiber which emanates the communication beam at a first wavelength in the intermediate infrared range onto an optical element of the transmitter. The optical element then collimates and directs the communication beam, together with a beacon beam of a second wavelength in the near infrared range, in a common beam along a path toward the receiver. At the second location, the receiver collects the common beam and focuses it to a focal point. A camera in the receiver then receives scattered light of the beacon beam from the focal point to determine a displacement distance between the focal point and the target. The focal point and target are then aligned with each other to reduce the displacement distance to a null and thereby make the focal point of the common beam incident on the target.

Abstract: A system for aligning a laser beam with the end of an optical fiber includes optics for focusing the laser beam toward the end of the optical fiber. A plurality of light receptors are positioned around the end of the optical fiber and, as intended for the present invention, each light receptor generates a light signal which is indicative of the light intensity from the laser beam that is incident on it. Connected with this plurality of light sensors is a comparator which creates an error signal that is proportional to a difference between selected light signals from the light receptors. The laser beam can then be moved relative to the end of the optical fiber in response to the error signal to align the laser beam with the end of the optical fiber. When alignment is achieved, the light signals will be substantially equal to each other and the error signal will be a null.

Abstract: A device and method for operational switching between line-of-sight wireless communications transceivers requires evaluating a useful received signal strength intensity (RSSI) for a first transceiver, and switching to a second transceiver when the consequent bit error rate (BER) is not useful for the first transceiver. Subsequent switching between the first and second transceivers is accomplished in accordance with a timed sequence regimen that involves variable time delays, and considerations of RSSI changes within determined time periods. Preferably, the first transceiver transmits and receives on a laser beam and the second transceiver transmits and receives on a microwave beam.

Abstract: A dual mode laser/microwave transceiver for use in line-of-sight communications includes a housing that is formed with a single aperture for receiving both a laser beam and a microwave beam. A turning mirror and a beam splitter are mounted within the housing, and the turning mirror reflects an incoming laser/microwave beam onto the beam splitter which separates the laser beam from the microwave beam. The microwave beam is then directed by the beam splitter toward a microwave feed that is mounted on the housing. On the other hand, the laser beam is directed by the beam splitter toward an optical receiver that is mounted on the housing. Transmitted laser and microwave beams are respectively sent through the transceiver in directions opposite to that of the received beams.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing a laser link communications system in free space includes first and second terminals which are distanced from each other on an optical path. Each terminal includes a plurality of laser transmitters which together generate a plurality of laser beams, with each of the laser beams carrying a communication signal. Further, each terminal directs its independently generated laser beams along substantially parallel paths. Though their paths are substantially parallel, the transmitted beams generally overlap in the far field, at the other terminal, where they are collected and incoherently summed for reception and analysis of the communication signal.

Abstract: A laser communication transceiver for transmitting information via laser beams to and from other similar laser communication transceivers. Each transceiver comprises a wavelength locked beacon laser providing a beacon beam. The transceivers determine the precise location of other transceivers by detecting these beacon beams with beacon receive units comprising atomic line filters matched to the beacon wavelength. Signals are transmitted by imposing an electronic signal on laser beams produced by one or more signal laser devices. These signals are directed with precision at other transceivers, and the signal beams are detected with very narrow field of view signal receive units. In a preferred embodiment, these transceivers are installed on 66 satellites in low earth orbit and on selected mountain tops on earth to provide a global communication system.