Abstract: A laser system and method is disclosed which is capable of producing high peak power, high pulse rates, and narrow pulses. The invention comprises an acousto-optic shutter and a frustrated total internal reflectance Q-switch in a unique configuration which allows maximum power to be obtained from the laser device while still achieving high pulse rate and narrow pulse width.

Abstract: An electro-optical remote meter reading system providing automatic load control and time related and peak demand readings from conventional electric power meters, including an electro-optical monitor unit having a non-contact meter scanner providing meter data to a digital storage and readout unit, and an electro-optical transponder effective to receive and to transfer data from the latter unit and to convert such data into a train of laser radiation pulses which are emitted in response to interrogation by a laser radiation pulse from a remote mobile interrogator unit which triggers the noncoded interrogation of the transponder. The interrogator includes a laser receiver and a pulse converting sub-system and is associated with further digital data processing equipment. A variant of the reading system interacts with a plurality of meters in a common location and provides sequential interrogation of a common, i.e. single, transponder, associated with the plurality of meters.

Abstract: A plurality of radiant energy sources are alternatively pulsed in accorda with programmable pulsing sequences to permit testing of guided homing seekers and the like. A trigger selector is provided for each source and takes the form of a programmable counter. A source selector receives externally supplied trigger pulses and applies them to one trigger selector until the pre-programmed count is reached, during which time the source associated with that trigger selector is actuated by each pulse. When the pre-programmed count is reached the source selector feeds the trigger pulses to a second trigger selector and to a second source associated with that trigger selector. When the separately programmed count on the second trigger selector is reached, the source selector transfers the trigger pulses back to the first source and trigger selector circuit. The cycle continues in this manner, alternatively supplying trains of trigger pulses to the radiant energy sources.