Abstract: A dual mode rotary joint as described herein can be utilized in an electromagnetic communication system such as a radar system. The dual mode rotary joint can be used to rotatably couple an antenna architecture to its mounting structure. One embodiment of the dual mode joint includes a waveguide configured to propagate radio frequency (RF) signals, and endcaps coupled to the ends of the waveguide. Each endcap is reflective for RF signals and transmissive for optical signals.

Abstract: A Doppler velocimeter apparatus that may have a coherent light source for generating a beam of coherent light. A modulating subsystem may receive and modulate at least a first portion of the beam of coherent light to form a first beam portion, the first beam portion forming a frequency offset and being a modulated, coherent optical signal. An optical element may receive the first beam portion and direct the first beam portion at a subject, the first beam portion being reflected from the subject to form a reflected beam that has a frequency that is modified in relation to the motion of the subject. A processing subsystem may receive a second portion of the beam of coherent light, and also the reflected beam, and uses the second beam portion and the reflected beam to determine a Doppler shift of the reflected beam.

Abstract: A dual mode rotary joint as described herein can be utilized in an electromagnetic communication system such as a radar system. The dual mode rotary joint can be used to rotatably couple an antenna architecture to its mounting structure. One embodiment of the dual mode joint includes a waveguide configured to propagate radio frequency (RF) signals, and endcaps coupled to the ends of the waveguide. Each endcap is reflective for RF signals and transmissive for optical signals.

Abstract: A laser cavity is provided by a reflecting spherical substrate with an array of emitters having a mode size. Each emitter has an axis aligned with a radius of the spherical substrate. A single mode waveguide is aligned with the array at an optical coupling distance less than the radius of the spherical substrate. A reflector substantially coincident with an end of the waveguide combines with the reflecting spherical substrate as a cavity.

Abstract: Systems and methods to control projection of a pattern are provided. A particular method includes receiving first three-dimensional coordinates that specify one or more locations on a surface of a workpiece where the one or more locations correspond to a part definition to be projected onto the surface. The method also includes computing scan angles for a scanning system based on the first three-dimensional coordinates. The scan angles specify angles used by the scanning system to direct a beam of light to project the part definition onto the surface. The method also includes sending control signals to the scanning system based on the scan angles.

Abstract: A method for point-to-point communication over an optical channel is provided. An optical beam is received at a first corner cube modulated retro-reflector. Simultaneously, the optical beam is received at a second corner cube modulated retro-reflector. The first and second corner cube modulated retro-reflectors are adjacent to each other, are co-boresighted, and have an aggregate diameter that is smaller than the far-field Instantaneous Field of View of a receiver. The optical beam is modified by the first corner cube modulated retro-reflector by adding a first modulation to the optical beam, forming a first modulated optical beam. Simultaneously, the optical beam is modified by the second corner cube modulated retro-reflector by adding a second modulation to the optical beam, forming a second modulated optical beam. The first modulated optical beam and the second modulated optical beam combine to form a modified optical wavefront, which is reflected to a sender.

Abstract: Systems and methods to control projection of a pattern are provided. A particular method includes receiving first three-dimensional coordinates that specify one or more locations on a surface of a workpiece where the one or more locations correspond to a part definition to be projected onto the surface. The method also includes computing scan angles for a scanning system based on the first three-dimensional coordinates. The scan angles specify angles used by the scanning system to direct a beam of light to project the part definition onto the surface. The method also includes sending control signals to the scanning system based on the scan angles.

Abstract: A Doppler velocimeter apparatus that may have a coherent light source for generating a beam of coherent light. A modulating subsystem may receive and modulate at least a first portion of the beam of coherent light to form a first beam portion, the first beam portion forming a frequency offset and being a modulated, coherent optical signal. An optical element may receive the first beam portion and direct the first beam portion at a subject, the first beam portion being reflected from the subject to form a reflected beam that has a frequency that is modified in relation to the motion of the subject. A processing subsystem may receive a second portion of the beam of coherent light, and also the reflected beam, and uses the second beam portion and the reflected beam to determine a Doppler shift of the reflected beam.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for targetless optical measurement and optical information projection. A non-contact optical measurement device is provided for determining at least one of position and orientation of a workpiece. A projector is provided for projecting a part definition on the workpiece. Advantageously, beams from the non-contact optical measurement device and the projector pass through common optics.

Abstract: A Doppler velocimeter apparatus and method of forming same. In one implementation a coherent light source is used for generating a beam of coherent light. An optical fiber receives the beam of coherent light. The optical fiber has an output face that is generally flat, thus enabling a first portion of the beam of coherent light to be reflected back on the optical fiber and to form a frequency offset, while a second portion of the beam of coherent light exits the optical fiber. A mechanism is used to move the output face of the optical fiber in an oscillating fashion so that the first portion of coherent light reflected back on the optical fiber produces an oscillating waveform that forms a frequency offset. An optical element receives the second portion of light from the face of the optical fiber and transmits it to a subject, and then receives a reflected optical signal back from the subject.

Abstract: An angle absolute encoder comprises a code rod encoded with code marks configured in segments, such that each successive segment has an increasing number of code marks, arranged at an angle to the rotation axis depending on the number of code marks in each segment. The angle of the code mark is determined by the number of code marks in the respective segment, the width of the segment parallel to the rotation axis of the code rod and the radius of the code rod. The angular resolution increases according to the number of code marks in each segment. Light is reflected from or transmitted through the code marks and detected by a light detector to determine absolute angle position.

Abstract: A Doppler velocimeter apparatus and method of forming same. In one implementation a coherent light source is used for generating a beam of coherent light. An optical fiber receives the beam of coherent light. The optical fiber has an output face that is generally flat, thus enabling a first portion of the beam of coherent light to be reflected back on the optical fiber and to form a frequency offset, while a second portion of the beam of coherent light exits the optical fiber. A mechanism is used to move the output face of the optical fiber in an oscillating fashion so that the first portion of coherent light reflected back on the optical fiber produces an oscillating waveform that forms a frequency offset. An optical element receives the second portion of light from the face of the optical fiber and transmits it to a subject, and then receives a reflected optical signal back from the subject.

Abstract: A method for point-to-point communication over an optical channel is provided. An optical beam is received at a first corner cube modulated retro-reflector. Simultaneously, the optical beam is received at a second corner cube modulated retro-reflector. The first and second corner cube modulated retro-reflectors are adjacent to each other, are co-boresighted, and have an aggregate diameter that is smaller than the far-field Instantaneous Field of View of a receiver. The optical beam is modified by the first corner cube modulated retro-reflector by adding a first modulation to the optical beam, forming a first modulated optical beam. Simultaneously, the optical beam is modified by the second corner cube modulated retro- reflector by adding a second modulation to the optical beam, forming a second modulated optical beam. The first modulated optical beam and the second modulated optical beam combine to form a modified optical wavefront, which is reflected to a sender.

Abstract: An angle absolute encoder comprises a code rod encoded with code marks configured in segments, such that each successive segment has an increasing number of code marks, arranged at an angle to the rotation axis depending on the number of code marks in each segment. The angle of the code mark is determined by the number of code marks in the respective segment, the width of the segment parallel to the rotation axis of the code rod and the radius of the code rod. The angular resolution increases according to the number of code marks in each segment. Light is reflected from or transmitted through the code marks and detected by a light detector to determine absolute angle position.

Abstract: A method of calibrating angle drift of a laser radar system is provided, in one aspect of the present invention. The method includes, providing a plurality of virtual fiducials into an xy scanner; and providing a plurality of auxiliary laser sources into the xy scanner. The method also includes, routing a plurality of auxiliary laser beams from the plurality of auxiliary laser sources into the xy scanner; and calibrating an angular position of a plurality of laser directing means. The methods provides creating a calibration signal for updating the angular position of a plurality of scanning mirrors.

Abstract: An antenna system for receiving both RF wave and optical wave radiation via a single antenna aperture that may be moved between stowed and deployed configurations as needed. The system includes a wavefront correction system for correcting optical wavefront distortion errors caused by anomalies in the shape of the antenna aperture itself, as well as optical wavefront distortion errors caused by atmospheric perturbations. The optical components used for optical signal conditioning are supported from the antenna aperture and form a compact, unobtrusive means for separating electromagnetic and optical wave signals received by the antenna aperture.

Abstract: An assembly is provided that may be used in high data rate optical communications, such as free-space communication systems. The assembly may include a main optical receiver element and a lenslet array or other optical element disposed near the focal plane that collects an optical signal and focuses that signal as a series of optical signal portions onto a photodetector array, formed of a series of InGaAs photodiodes, for example. The electrical signals from the photodetectors may be amplified using high bandwidth transimpedance amplifiers connected to a summing amplifier or circuit that produces a summed electrical signal. Alternatively, the electrical signals may be summed initially and then amplified via a transimpedance amplifier. The assembly may be used in remote optical communication systems, including free-space laser communication environments, to convert optical signals up to or above 1 Gbit/s or higher data rates into electrical signals at 1 Gbit/s or higher data rates.

Abstract: An angle absolute encoder comprises an encoded code rod that has code marks, such as pairs of fine code lines and coarse code lines. Light is reflected from or transmitted through the code marks and detected by a light detector to determine absolute angle position.

Abstract: An antenna system for communicating electromagnetic and optical signals using a common aperture is provided. The system includes at least one optical phased array terminal integrated with an optically transparent electromagnetic antenna such that the optically transparent electromagnetic antenna and the optical phased array terminal share a common aperture. The optically transparent electromagnetic antenna includes a substrate fabricated of a substantially electrically non-conductive material that is substantially optically transparent to optical signals having a wavelength within a specific portion of the optical spectrum. An antenna element layer, including an array of electromagnetic antenna elements electrically connected by transmission lines and a plurality of phase shifters electrically connected to the electromagnetic antenna elements is disposed onto the substrate.