Abstract: An orientation tracking system for a moving platform includes a transmitter which generates an beam having a known polarization with respect to a predefined coordinate system. The moving platform includes an ellipsometric detector capable of detecting the polarized beam when within the line-of-sight of the transmitter, and measuring its polarization state. The polarization state indicates the rotational orientation of the moving platform with respect to the predefined coordinate system. The beam could also be used to convey guidance commands to the platform.

Abstract: A moving platform roll sensor system comprises an ellipsometric detector capable of detecting a polarized beam within the detector's line-of-sight, and measuring the beam's polarization state, such that the polarization state indicates the rotational orientation of the moving platform with respect to a predefined coordinate system. The ellipsometric detector comprises a venetian blind component through which the polarized beam passes, arranged such that the intensity of the exiting beam varies with its incident angle with respect to the moving platform, a polarizing beamsplitter which splits the exiting beam into components having orthogonal circular polarizations, the relative intensities of which vary with the relative polarization vector of the beam, and first and second detectors which receive the first and second orthogonal circular components and generate respective outputs that vary with the intensities of their received components.

Abstract: A moving platform roll sensor system comprises an ellipsometric detector capable of detecting a polarized beam within the detector's line-of-sight, and measuring the beam's polarization state, such that the polarization state indicates the rotational orientation of the moving platform with respect to a predefined coordinate system. The ellipsometric detector comprises a venetian blind component through which the polarized beam passes, arranged such that the intensity of the exiting beam varies with its incident angle with respect to the moving platform, a polarizing beamsplitter which splits the exiting beam into components having orthogonal circular polarizations, the relative intensities of which vary with the relative polarization vector of the beam, and first and second detectors which receive the first and second orthogonal circular components and generate respective outputs that vary with the intensities of their received components.

Abstract: An orientation tracking system for a moving platform includes a transmitter which generates an beam having a known polarization with respect to a predefined coordinate system. The moving platform includes an ellipsometric detector capable of detecting the polarized beam when within the line-of-sight of the transmitter, and measuring its polarization state. The polarization state indicates the rotational orientation of the moving platform with respect to the predefined coordinate system. The beam could also be used to convey guidance commands to the platform.

Abstract: An orientation tracking system for a moving platform includes a transmitter which generates an beam having a known polarization with respect to a predefined coordinate system. The moving platform includes an ellipsometric detector capable of detecting the polarized beam when within the line-of-sight of the transmitter, and measuring its polarization state. The polarization state indicates the rotational orientation of the moving platform with respect to the predefined coordinate system. The beam could also be used to convey guidance commands to the platform.

Abstract: An optical communication system may include a light transmission unit transmitting a light beam having a first polarization, a quarter waveplate to receive the light beam and to modify the light beam to have a second polarization, and a retroreflector to receive the light beam from the quarter waveplate and reflect the light beam to the quarter waveplate, which modifies the light beam to have a third polarization. The optical communication system may also include a half waveplate to modify the first polarization such that the first polarization is about 90 degrees rotated compared to the third polarization, and a polarizer to pass the light beam having the third polarization and to block most of the light beam having the first polarization.

Abstract: A system for determining the spatial orientation of a movable apparatus includes at least one optical angle-of-arrival (OAOA) sensor array, each of which comprises multiple OAOA sensors arranged to provide a 360° field-of-view (FOV). At least one sensor array is mounted on and has a known spatial relationship to a movable apparatus, the spatial orientation of which is to be determined. Point sources are located at one or more stationary positions within the FOV of at least one of the mounted arrays. An initial-north-finding/initial-vertical-finding (INF/INV) system determines the spatial orientation of at least one of the point sources. Processing circuitry coupled to the INF/INV system and the sensor arrays derives the spatial orientation of the mounted arrays—and thereby the spatial orientation of the apparatus—based on the angular positions of the stationary point sources detected by the mounted arrays.

Abstract: A system for determining the spatial orientation of a movable apparatus includes at least one optical angle-of-arrival (OAOA) sensor array, each of which comprises multiple OAOA sensors arranged to provide a 360° field-of-view (FOV). At least one sensor array is mounted on and has a known spatial relationship to a movable apparatus, the spatial orientation of which is to be determined. Point sources are located at one or more stationary positions within the FOV of at least one of the mounted arrays. An initial-north-finding/initial-vertical-finding (INF/INV) system determines the spatial orientation of at least one of the point sources. Processing circuitry coupled to the INF/INV system and the sensor arrays derives the spatial orientation of the mounted arrays—and thereby the spatial orientation of the apparatus—based on the angular positions of the stationary point sources detected by the mounted arrays.

Abstract: A laser communication and spatial referencing system and related methods provides effective and secure non-line-of-sight communications. A laser communication and spatial referencing system includes a laser transmitter transmitting a pulsed laser beam encoded with binary communications data, and an imaging data receiver for receiving the pulsed laser beam reflecting off a reflective target. The imaging receiver decodes the binary communications data and determines the position of the laser beam. The laser communication and spatial referencing system may operate synchronously and/or asynchronously, and may include a display displaying a video image of area surrounding the target with the reflecting location superimposed on the image to provide visual identification of the target.

Abstract: An orientation tracking system for a moving platform includes a transmitter which generates an beam having a known polarization with respect to a predefined coordinate system. The moving platform includes an ellipsometric detector capable of detecting the polarized beam when within the line-of-sight of the transmitter, and measuring its polarization state. The polarization state indicates the rotational orientation of the moving platform with respect to the predefined coordinate system. The beam could also be used to convey guidance commands to the platform.

Abstract: An optical angle of arrival measurement system uses an optical element to form at least one narrow width line on a focal plane array (FPA) which is oblique with respect to the FPA's row and column axes and which traverses at least two rows or columns along its length; forming two perpendicular narrow width lines in a cross-pattern is preferred. Interpolating the position of the lines on the FPA provides coordinates that can be used to calculate the optical angle of arrival in accordance with ?x=A(x)·tan?1(x/f), and ?y=B(y)·tan?1(y/f), where f is the focal length of the optical element, and A(x) and B(y) are parameters that account for optical distortion and other imperfections of the system. The resolution ?? of the angle of arrival measurement can be improved to at least ??˜(d/n)/f, where d is the FPA pixel width and n is the length in pixels of the imaged line.

Abstract: A fast, electro-optically switched zoom lens system operates across a broad spectral and thermal range while correcting for birefringent aberrations by means of a polarizing system that preferably includes polarizing reticles.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a real-time, hybrid amplitude-time division polarimetric imaging camera used to derive and calculate Stokes parameters of input light.

Abstract: Provided is a compact, high-speed deformable mirror for use with an adaptive optic. The mirror or wavefront correction device corrects and/or compensates for wavefront aberrations present in a wavefront received by the optics. The mirror includes a deformable membrane which may be made of a semiconductive, metallic or insulating material. Positioned in close proximity to a front surface of the membrane is a transparent conductor, which may be covered by a window having an anti-reflective coating. A plurality of electrostatic actuators is located in close proximity to a back surface of the membrane, the conductor and actuators separated by a gap of approximately 10 ?m. In operation, a bias voltage is applied to the transparent conductor and an actuator voltage is applied to the plurality of actuators. The resultant voltage differential across the membrane defines the amount of membrane deformation, which in turn compensates for distortions in a subsequently reflected wavefront.

Abstract: A switchable apochromatic polarization rotator is provided. A first fixed waveplate has a first principal axis fixed in a first orientation. A second fixed waveplate has a second principal axis fixed in a second orientation. First and second switchable waveplates have principal axes oriented such that broad spectral range electromagnetic radiation transmitted through all of the waveplates has a first rotated polarization, wherein, in response to one or more control signals applied to the switchable waveplates, the principal axes of the switchable waveplates rotate such that the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through all of the waveplates has a second rotated polarization. The switchable waveplates utilize ferroelectric liquid crystal material, nematic liquid crystal material, or be mechanically rotated to adjust for orientation of their principal axes. Utilizing waveplates as described may be used to tune for a desired spectral range and/or compensate for temperature dependencies.

Abstract: An optical angle of arrival measurement system uses an optical element to form at least one narrow width line on a focal plane array (FPA) which is oblique with respect to the FPA's row and column axes and which traverses at least two rows or columns along its length; forming two perpendicular narrow width lines in a cross-pattern is preferred. Interpolating the position of the lines on the FPA provides coordinates that can be used to calculate the optical angle of arrival in accordance with ?x=A(x)·tan?1(x/f), and ?y=B(y)·tan?1(y/f), where f is the focal length of the optical element, and A(x) and B(y) are parameters that account for optical distortion and other imperfections of the system. The resolution ?? of the angle of arrival measurement can be improved to at least ??˜(d/n)/f, where d is the FPA pixel width and n is the length in pixels of the imaged line.

Abstract: A dual field of view sighting system uses liquid crystals, flip-polarizers and/or flip-mirrors to select between at least two fields of view.

Abstract: An electro-optomechanical beam steering system has: a first deflector for selectively deflecting an optical beam in a first field of regard centered about a boresight; and a rotation stage having a second deflector, the rotation stage selectively positioning the second deflector in azimuth about the boresight, the second deflector selectively deflecting the optical beam of the first field of regard in a second field of regard along a polar axis defined by the second deflector and the azimuth as positioned by the rotation stage. Methods using the beam steering system are also provided, to steer an optical beam or to acquire a target in a field of regard.

Abstract: Provided is a compact, high-speed deformable mirror for use with an adaptive optic. The mirror or wavefront correction device corrects and/or compensates for wavefront aberrations present in a wavefront received by the optics. The mirror includes a deformable membrane which may be made of a semiconductive, metallic or insulating material. Positioned in close proximity to a front surface of the membrane is a transparent conductor, which may be covered by a window having an anti-reflective coating. A plurality of electrostatic actuators is located in close proximity to a back surface of the membrane, the conductor and actuators separated by a gap of approximately 10 ?m. In operation, a bias voltage is applied to the transparent conductor and an actuator voltage is applied to the plurality of actuators. The resultant voltage differential across the membrane defines the amount of membrane deformation, which in turn compensates for distortions in a subsequently reflected wavefront.

Abstract: An optical communication system may include a light transmission unit transmitting a light beam having a first polarization, a quarter waveplate to receive the light beam and to modify the light beam to have a second polarization, and a retroreflector to receive the light beam from the quarter waveplate and reflect the light beam to the quarter waveplate, which modifies the light beam to have a third polarization. The optical communication system may also include a half waveplate to modify the first polarization such that the first polarization is about 90 degrees rotated compared to the third polarization, and a polarizer to pass the light beam having the third polarization and to block most of the light beam having the first polarization.