Patents Assigned to Attochron, LLC
  • Publication number: 20260113116
    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: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2025
    Publication date: April 23, 2026
    Applicant: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox
  • Publication number: 20260081686
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an optical communication system may include an optical source, a modulator, and a photoreceiver. The optical source may be configured to generate a beam comprising a series of light pulses each having a duration of less than 100 picoseconds. The photoreceiver may have a detection window duration of less than 1 nanosecond. When a first pulse travels through a variably refractive medium, photons in the first pulse may be refracted to travel along different ray paths to arrive at the photoreceiver according to a temporal distribution curve. A full width at half maximum (FWHM) value of the temporal distribution curve may be at least three times as large as a coherence time value of the first pulse, and the detection window of the photoreceiver may be at least six times as large as the FWHM value of the temporal distribution curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2024
    Publication date: March 19, 2026
    Applicant: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox, Alexander B. LeBon, Brian M. Gregory, Taz M. Colangelo
  • Publication number: 20260081688
    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: September 16, 2024
    Publication date: March 19, 2026
    Applicant: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox, Brian M. Gregory, Taz M. Colangelo
  • Publication number: 20260058724
    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: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2025
    Publication date: February 26, 2026
    Applicant: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox
  • Patent number: 12562812
    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: February 26, 2025
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2026
    Assignee: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox
  • Publication number: 20260019163
    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: September 18, 2025
    Publication date: January 15, 2026
    Applicant: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox, Alexander B. LeBon, Brian M. Gregory, Taz M. Colangelo
  • Publication number: 20260012266
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems and non-transitory computer readable memory for free-space optical (FSO) communications. For instance, a communications network may include FSO optical transceiver terminals located at remote electrically unpowered locations within the communications network. A remote unpowered FSO terminal located at a far-end location receives necessary optical power from a powered base station location (near-end) required for all optical amplification functions for NRZ or RZ format signals within the spectral range of 900 nm to 1480 nm as well as an Ultra Short Pulsed Laser (USPL) centered at 1560 nm at the far-end location. A transmitting node transmits an optical signal identified as a pump signal to a remote location over a free space medium, such as the atmosphere, where the remote location does not have available electrical power for operation of electro-optic components required for transmission and retransmission functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2024
    Publication date: January 8, 2026
    Applicant: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Malcolm Chaffee, Paul F Szajowski
  • Publication number: 20250337489
    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: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2025
    Publication date: October 30, 2025
    Applicant: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox
  • Publication number: 20250337490
    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: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2025
    Publication date: October 30, 2025
    Applicant: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox
  • Patent number: 12457037
    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: February 26, 2025
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2025
    Assignee: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox
  • Patent number: 12445207
    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: February 26, 2025
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2025
    Assignee: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox, Alexander B. LeBon, Brian M. Gregory, Taz M. Colangelo
  • Publication number: 20250310019
    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: June 7, 2025
    Publication date: October 2, 2025
    Applicant: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Chaffee, Wayne H. Knox, Brian M. Gregory, Taz M. Colangelo
  • 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
  • Patent number: RE50610
    Abstract: Enhancements in optical beam propagation performance can be realized through the utilization of ultra-short pulse laser (USPL) sources for laser transmit platforms, which are can be used throughout the telecommunication network infrastructure fabric. One or more of the described and illustrated features of USPL free space-optical (USPL-FSO) laser communications can be used in improving optical propagation through the atmosphere, for example by mitigating optical attenuation and scintillation effects, thereby enhancing effective system availability as well as link budget considerations, as evidenced through experimental studies and theoretical calculations between USPL and fog related atmospheric events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2025
    Assignee: Attochron, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Malcolm Chaffee, Paul F. Szajowski, Isaac Kim, Alexandre Braga