Patents Assigned to Attochron, LLC
  • Publication number: 20250260488
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for transmitting information optically. For instance, a system may include an optical source configured to generate a beam of light. The system may include at least one modulator configured to encode data on the beam of light to produce an encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses. The system may include a spectrally-equalizing amplifier configured to receive the encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses from the at least one modulator and both amplify and filter the encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses to produce a filtered beam of light/filtered plurality of pulses, thereby spectrally equalizing a gain applied to the encoded beam of light. In some cases, the system may slice the beam of slight, to ensure a detector has impulsive detection. In some cases, the system may include a temperature controller to shift a distribution curve of wavelengths of the optical source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2025
    Publication date: August 14, 2025
    Applicant: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox
  • Patent number: 12355495
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for transmitting information optically. For instance, a system may include an optical source configured to generate a beam of light. The system may include at least one modulator configured to encode data on the beam of light to produce an encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses. The system may include a spectrally-equalizing amplifier configured to receive the encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses from the at least one modulator and both amplify and filter the encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses to produce a filtered beam of light/filtered plurality of pulses, thereby spectrally equalizing a gain applied to the encoded beam of light. In some cases, the system may slice the beam of slight, to ensure a detector has impulsive detection. In some cases, the system may include a temperature controller to shift a distribution curve of wavelengths of the optical source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox
  • Patent number: 12355551
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for transmitting information optically in free space. For instance, a system may include an optical signal generator to generate an amplified beam of light. A telescope transmits the amplified beam through the medium and receives an inbound beam of light. A detector system may include one or more (or multiple) detectors and a routing system that transmits the inbound beam to a selected set of detectors. In some cases, the system can determine a re-configuration condition based on control parameters and perform a system re-configuration to direct the inbound beam to a different set of detectors. In some cases, the system includes a remote fiber head or wavelength division multiplexing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox, Brian M. Gregory, Taz M. Colangelo
  • Patent number: 12348267
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a free space optical communication system comprising a superluminescent light emitting diode (SLED) with an ultrashort coherence length configured to generate a broadband beam of light, a modulator configured to modulate the broadband beam of light to encode data and generate a modulated beam of light, a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) configured to amplify the modulated beam of light to generate an amplified beam of light, wherein the SOA has a bandwidth of at least 25, 50, or 100 nanometers, and an output configured to transmit the amplified beam of light through a variably refractive medium. The system enables high-bandwidth optical communication with improved performance in atmospheric turbulence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2025
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox
  • Patent number: 12348268
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for transmitting information optically in free space. For instance, a system may include an optical signal generator to generate an amplified beam of light. A telescope transmits the amplified beam through the medium and receives an inbound beam of light. A detector system may include one or more (or multiple) detectors and a routing system that transmits the inbound beam to a selected set of detectors. In some cases, the system can determine a re-configuration condition based on control parameters and perform a system re-configuration to direct the inbound beam to a different set of detectors. In some cases, the system includes a remote fiber head or wavelength division multiplexing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox, Brian M. Gregory, Taz M. Colangelo
  • Publication number: 20250202595
    Abstract: System, method, and instrumentalities are described herein for transmitting information optically. The optical source may be configured to generate a beam. The beam may include a series of light pulses. The beam of light may be modulated. A modulator may be configured to modulate the series of light pulses in response to a data transmission signal, thereby encoding transmission data into the series of light pulses. The modulated beam of light may be received and both amplified and filtered. The filtered beam of light may be transmitted from to a detector having a photoreceiver. The photoreceiver may be configured to extract the transmission data from the filtered beam of light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2025
    Publication date: June 19, 2025
    Applicant: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox, Alexander B. LeBon, Brian M. Gregory, Taz M. Colangelo
  • Publication number: 20250202590
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for transmitting information optically. For instance, a system may include an optical source configured to generate a beam of light. The system may include at least one modulator configured to encode data on the beam of light to produce an encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses. The system may include a spectrally-equalizing amplifier configured to receive the encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses from the at least one modulator and both amplify and filter the encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses to produce a filtered beam of light/filtered plurality of pulses, thereby spectrally equalizing a gain applied to the encoded beam of light. In some cases, the system may slice the beam of slight, to ensure a detector has impulsive detection. In some cases, the system may include a temperature controller to shift a distribution curve of wavelengths of the optical source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2025
    Publication date: June 19, 2025
    Applicant: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox
  • Publication number: 20250202588
    Abstract: Free-space optical (FSO) wireless transmission, including optical communications, remote-sensing, power beaming, etc., can be enhanced by replacing conventional laser sources that operate in the infrared portion of the optical spectrum with ultra-short pulsed laser (USPL) sources having peak pulse powers of one kWatt or greater and pulse lengths of less than one picosecond. Specifically, it has been observed that under these conditions the attenuation of an USPL beam having the same average optical power as a conventional laser in a lossy medium, such as the atmosphere, is substantially less than the attenuation of a conventional laser beam having a lower peak pulse power and/or a longer pulse width. The superior system performance when using an USPL can be translated into an increased distance between a laser source in a transmitter and a photodetector in receiver and/or a higher reliability of system operation in inclement weather conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2025
    Publication date: June 19, 2025
    Applicant: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Malcolm Chaffee, Paul F. Szajowski, Robert P. Fleishauer
  • Patent number: 12316376
    Abstract: An optical system for transmitting a beam of light through a variably refractive medium includes an optical source configured to generate a first beam of light, a modulator system, and an amplifier. The modulator system includes a driver configured to generate a driver signal and at least one modulator. The at least one modulator is configured to receive the driver signal and the first beam of light, and time slice and encode data on the first beam of light to generate a second beam of light. An optical spectrum of the first beam of light is matched to a wavelength range of the at least one modulator. The amplifier is configured to amplify the second beam of light to generate a third beam of light. The optical system transmits the third beam of light through a variably refractive medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2025
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox
  • Patent number: 12316374
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for transmitting information optically. For instance, a system may include an optical source configured to generate a beam of light. The system may include at least one modulator configured to encode data on the beam of light to produce an encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses. The system may include a spectrally-equalizing amplifier configured to receive the encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses from the at least one modulator and both amplify and filter the encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses to produce a filtered beam of light/filtered plurality of pulses, thereby spectrally equalizing a gain applied to the encoded beam of light. In some cases, the system may slice the beam of slight, to ensure a detector has impulsive detection. In some cases, the system may include a temperature controller to shift a distribution curve of wavelengths of the optical source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox
  • Publication number: 20250167909
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for transmitting information optically in free space. For instance, a system may include an optical signal generator to generate an amplified beam of light. A telescope transmits the amplified beam through the medium and receives an inbound beam of light. A detector system may include one or more (or multiple) detectors and a routing system that transmits the inbound beam to a selected set of detectors. In some cases, the system can determine a re-configuration condition based on control parameters and perform a system re-configuration to direct the inbound beam to a different set of detectors. In some cases, the system includes a remote fiber head or wavelength division multiplexing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2024
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Applicant: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox, Brian M. Gregory, Taz M. Colangelo
  • Publication number: 20250167889
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for transmitting information optically in free space. For instance, a system may include an optical signal generator to generate an amplified beam of light. A telescope transmits the amplified beam through the medium and receives an inbound beam of light. A detector system may include one or more (or multiple) detectors and a routing system that transmits the inbound beam to a selected set of detectors. In some cases, the system can determine a re-configuration condition based on control parameters and perform a system re-configuration to direct the inbound beam to a different set of detectors. In some cases, the system includes a remote fiber head or wavelength division multiplexing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2024
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Applicant: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox, Brian M. Gregory, Taz M. Colangelo
  • Patent number: 12278665
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for transmitting information optically. For instance, a system may include an optical source configured to generate a beam of light. The system may include at least one modulator configured to encode data on the beam of light to produce an encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses. The system may include a spectrally-equalizing amplifier configured to receive the encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses from the at least one modulator and both amplify and filter the encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses to produce a filtered beam of light/filtered plurality of pulses, thereby spectrally equalizing a gain applied to the encoded beam of light. In some cases, the system may slice the beam of slight, to ensure a detector has impulsive detection. In some cases, the system may include a temperature controller to shift a distribution curve of wavelengths of the optical source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox
  • Publication number: 20250088270
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for transmitting information optically. For instance, a system may include an optical source configured to generate a beam of light. The system may include at least one modulator configured to encode data on the beam of light to produce an encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses. The system may include a spectrally-equalizing amplifier configured to receive the encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses from the at least one modulator and both amplify and filter the encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses to produce a filtered beam of light/filtered plurality of pulses, thereby spectrally equalizing a gain applied to the encoded beam of light. In some cases, the system may slice the beam of slight, to ensure a detector has impulsive detection. In some cases, the system may include a temperature controller to shift a distribution curve of wavelengths of the optical source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Applicant: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox
  • Patent number: 12250021
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for FSO systems using active feedback noise reduction for light transmitted through a variably refractive medium. A telescope receives an inbound beam of light. A detector system includes a routing system, a noise reduction system, and a first detector. The noise reduction system has a splitter, a second detector, a controller, and a modulator. The second detector generates a sampled signal from a first portion of the inbound beam. The controller generates a control signal based on the sampled signal. The modulator attenuates a second portion of the inbound beam based on the control signal before detection by the first detector, thereby reducing variable noise caused by the variably refractive medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox
  • Patent number: 12244350
    Abstract: System, method, and instrumentalities are described herein for transmitting information optically. The optical source may be configured to generate a beam. The beam may include a series of light pulses. The beam of light may be modulated. A modulator may be configured to modulate the series of light pulses in response to a data transmission signal, thereby encoding transmission data into the series of light pulses. The modulated beam of light may be received and both amplified and filtered. The filtered beam of light may be transmitted from to a detector having a photoreceiver. The photoreceiver may be configured to extract the transmission data from the filtered beam of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox, Alexander B. LeBon, Brian M. Gregory, Taz M. Colangelo
  • Patent number: 12244341
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a free space optical system for optically transmitting processed radio frequency signals through a variably refractive medium. The system may include a transmitting element configured to receive a first signal and process it to generate a time-division combined signal. The transmitting element includes an optical source to generate a beam of light, a modulator to modulate the beam of light based on the time-division combined signal, and an amplifier to amplify the modulated beam of light, which is transmitted through the variably refractive medium. A receiving element includes a photoreceiver to receive the amplified beam of light and extract a second time-division combined signal, a correction unit to correct distortion in the second time-division combined signal, a mixer to multiply the corrected signal with a predetermined frequency signal, an amplifier to amplify the multiplied signal, and an antenna to emit a radio signal generated from the amplified multiplied signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox
  • Publication number: 20250070885
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for transmitting information optically. For instance, a system may include an optical source configured to generate a beam of light. The system may include at least one modulator configured to encode data on the beam of light to produce an encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses. The system may include a spectrally-equalizing amplifier configured to receive the encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses from the at least one modulator and both amplify and filter the encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses to produce a filtered beam of light/filtered plurality of pulses, thereby spectrally equalizing a gain applied to the encoded beam of light. In some cases, the system may slice the beam of slight, to ensure a detector has impulsive detection. In some cases, the system may include a temperature controller to shift a distribution curve of wavelengths of the optical source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2024
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Applicant: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox
  • Publication number: 20250070884
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for transmitting information optically. For instance, a system may include an optical source configured to generate a beam of light. The system may include at least one modulator configured to encode data on the beam of light to produce an encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses. The system may include a spectrally-equalizing amplifier configured to receive the encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses from the at least one modulator and both amplify and filter the encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses to produce a filtered beam of light/filtered plurality of pulses, thereby spectrally equalizing a gain applied to the encoded beam of light. In some cases, the system may slice the beam of slight, to ensure a detector has impulsive detection. In some cases, the system may include a temperature controller to shift a distribution curve of wavelengths of the optical source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2024
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Applicant: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox
  • Patent number: 12237914
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for transmitting information optically in free space. For instance, a system may include an optical signal generator to generate an amplified beam of light. A telescope transmits the amplified beam through the medium and receives an inbound beam of light. A detector system may include one or more (or multiple) detectors and a routing system that transmits the inbound beam to a selected set of detectors. In some cases, the system can determine a re-configuration condition based on control parameters and perform a system re-configuration to direct the inbound beam to a different set of detectors. In some cases, the system includes a remote fiber head or wavelength division multiplexing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox, Brian M. Gregory, Taz M. Colangelo