Abstract: According to one aspect, a sparse optical system is provided. The sparse optical system includes optical segments, an optical source module to generate beams of light, a collimating module to direct the beams of light towards two adjacent optical segments, a detector to receive a reflection of the beams of light from the optical segments, and a processor. The processor instructs the optical source module to generate a first beam of light, determines a first measurement of an alignment of the two adjacent segments based on the reflection of the first beam, adjusts a position of an optical segment based on the first measurement, instructs the optical source module to generate a second beam of light, and determines a second measurement of the alignment of the two segments based on the reflection of the second beam.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a sparse optical system is provided. The sparse optical system includes optical segments, an optical source module to generate beams of light, a collimating module to direct the beams of light towards two adjacent optical segments, a detector to receive a reflection of the beams of light from the optical segments, and a processor. The processor instructs the optical source module to generate a first beam of light, determines a first measurement of an alignment of the two adjacent segments based on the reflection of the first beam, adjusts a position of an optical segment based on the first measurement, instructs the optical source module to generate a second beam of light, and determines a second measurement of the alignment of the two segments based on the reflection of the second beam.

Abstract: A multimode radiation source is disclosed. One embodiment includes a waveguide radiator and an orthomode transducer coupled to the waveguide radiator to provide a first signal to the waveguide radiator. The waveguide radiator is configured to receive the first signal and to radiate the first signal at a first location as a first spherical wave signal with a first phase center. The multimode source also includes transmission medium coupled to the waveguide radiator and configured to radiate a second signal and a third signal from the first location as a second spherical wave and a third spherical wave with substantially the first phase center.

Abstract: A multimode radiation source is disclosed. One embodiment includes a waveguide radiator and an orthomode transducer coupled to the waveguide radiator to provide a first signal to the waveguide radiator. The waveguide radiator is configured to receive the first signal and to radiate the first signal at a first location as a first spherical wave signal with a first phase center. The multimode source also includes transmission medium coupled to the waveguide radiator and configured to radiate a second signal and a third signal from the first location as a second spherical wave and a third spherical wave with substantially the first phase center.