Abstract: An EO sensor is configured to time multiplex a primary optical channel that provides high detection sensitivity to maintain high SNR and a multi-filtered optical channel that provides detection in different measurement bands (e.g. spectral, polarization, amplitude or phase). The channels may, for example, be time multiplexed based on range to target or within each integration period of the EO sensor. The multi-filtered optical channel uses a field directing array to sample the FOV to form different optical sub-channels that are filtered by different optical filters. These sub-channels may be spatially multiplexed onto different sub-regions of the detector or may be time multiplexed onto the entire detector. The light modulator used to time multiplex the primary and multi-filtered optical channels may be used to time de-multiplex spatially overlapping regions of the FOV onto a pixel of the detector in order to detect high spatial resolution images with low resolution detectors.

Abstract: A KV-based missile defense system and method of strategic engagement provides performance improvement for both singleton and raid scenarios by launching multiple interceptors that place a follower KV in a trailing position with respect to a lead KV. Knowledge of the target cloud gained by the lead KV is transmitted to the follower KV and incorporated to inform the target selection of the follower KV. The follower KV trails the lead KV with sufficient spacing in time and distance to select a target and maneuver to engage the target pre-acquisition. This also allows the follower KV to receive and incorporate knowledge of target impact by the lead KV. This knowledge may be transmitted back to another follower KV and so forth in a “string” of KVs to inform target selection and down to the ground to inform strategic engagement. Updated non-KV observational data can be uplinked and transmitted forward along the string to the lead KV.

Abstract: Embodiments of a multi-plenoptic system with image stacking and method for wide field-of-regard (FOR) high-resolution image are generally described herein. The multi-plenoptic system may include a subfield separator to decompose an image within a wide field of view into a plurality of multi-pixel subfields. The subfield separator may rotate a chief ray within each multi-pixel subfield by a differing amount relative to a rotation of other rays of the subfield. The multi-plenoptic system may also include a subfield modulator to selectively block or pass light from at least a portion of one or more of the subfields and a subfield image formation element to relay the portions of the subfields that are passed by the subfield modulator onto substantially overlapping areas of a common image plane. A single focal-plane array (FPA) may be aligned with the common image plane to provide for high-resolution imaging over a wide FOR.

Abstract: A digitally scanned multi-cell EO sensor comprises a low-resolution multi-cell imaging detector. An array of optical focusing elements decomposes the sensor's FOV into at least four sub-fields. A sub-field directing array and focusing optic direct the optical radiation onto the imaging detector. In a first tilt mode, the optical radiation from the sub-fields is directed into at least four spatially separated sub-regions that each map to a different detector cell. A high-resolution spatial light modulator (SLM) digitally scans the FOV to select different portions of the FOV to map onto the different detector cells to time demultiplex spatially overlapping portions of the FOV onto each detector cell to stitch together a sub-image of a selected area of the FOV up to the native resolution of the SLM.

Abstract: A digitally scanned multi-cell EO sensor comprises a low-resolution multi-cell imaging detector. An array of optical focusing elements decomposes the sensor's FOV into at least four sub-fields. A sub-field directing array and focusing optic direct the optical radiation onto the imaging detector. In a first tilt mode, the optical radiation from the sub-fields is directed into at least four spatially separated sub-regions that each map to a different detector cell. A high-resolution spatial light modulator (SLM) digitally scans the FOV to select different portions of the FOV to map onto the different detector cells to time demultiplex spatially overlapping portions of the FOV onto each detector cell to stitch together a sub-image of a selected area of the FOV up to the native resolution of the SLM.

Abstract: A discrete wavefront measurement device uses a variable transmission filter (VTF) to decouple the dynamic range of tilt angle measurements in the wavefront from the spatial sampling resolution and the measurement sensitivity as regards the physics of the readout. This approach allows the discrete wavefront measurement device to be configured to a specified dynamic range, transverse sampling resolution and measurement sensitivity at low cost.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for generating image data comprises a focal-plane array of unit cells, a controller, and a memory structure having a plurality of storage locations. Each unit cell may store charge based on detected photons. The controller may read a value based on the stored charge from at least some of the unit cells, and either add the read value to an existing value in the corresponding storage location when operating in frame-sum mode, or add the read value to an existing value in a shifted storage location when operating in time-delay integration (TDI) mode. This may allow faint objects as well as objects moving in the field-of-view of the focal-plane array to be observed. The integrated circuit may be fabricated from radiation-hardened CMOS technology and may be a layer of a sensor chip assembly.

Abstract: Some embodiments pertain to an optical zoom system. The optical zoom system includes a first inward-facing surface that is at least partly reflective and a second inward-facing surface that is at least partly reflective. The optical zoom system further includes a first aperture that includes a plurality of sub-apertures which are positioned around at least a portion of an outer periphery of one of the first and second inward facing surfaces. Each sub-aperture includes an optically powered element. The optical zoom system further includes a second aperture that exists proximate a central region of the optical zoom system. Light is reflected on the first and second inward facing surfaces as the light travels between the first aperture and the second aperture such that the light is optically combined into a single image before exiting the second aperture.

Abstract: A system and method for wavefront measurement of an EO sensor is performed in-situ using the sensor's EO detector in a manner that disambiguates the local wavefront measurements for different sub-pupils in time and maximizes the dynamic range for measuring the local wavefronts. A single sub-pupil sized optical beam is traced in a spatial pattern over the EO sensor's entrance pupil to serially illuminate a temporal sequence of sub-pupils to form a serially addressed sub-pupil screen. The EO detector and video card capture a video signal for one sub-pupil at a time as the optical beam traces the spatial pattern. The video signal is routed to a computer processor that generates a spatio-temporal mapping of the spatial positions of the sub-pupils in the sub-pupil screen to the temporal positions of frames in the video signal. The computer processor uses the mapping to process the video signal to compute a wavefront estimate spanning the entrance pupil.

Abstract: Embodiments of a multi-plenoptic system with image stacking and method for wide field-of-regard (FOR) high-resolution image are generally described herein. The multi-plenoptic system may include a subfield separator to decompose an image within a wide field of view into a plurality of multi-pixel subfields. The subfield separator may rotate a chief ray within each multi-pixel subfield by a differing amount relative to a rotation of other rays of the subfield. The multi-plenoptic system may also include a subfield modulator to selectively block or pass light from at least a portion of one or more of the subfields and a subfield image formation element to relay the portions of the subfields that are passed by the subfield modulator onto substantially overlapping areas of a common image plane. A single focal-plane array (FPA) may be aligned with the common image plane to provide for high-resolution imaging over a wide FOR.

Abstract: A dual-mode sensor uses the active guidance radiation as a “guide star” to generate a wavefront error estimate for the primary optical element in-situ without interfering with the generation of either the active guidance or passive imaging guidance signals. An array of optical focusing elements performs the normal function of spatially encoding an angle of incidence of the active guidance radiation at an entrance pupil onto an active imaging detector. The array also performs an additional function of spatially encoding wavefront tilt deviations emanating from sub-pupils of an exit pupil onto the active imaging detector. A processor processes the electrical signals from the imaging detector in accordance with the respective spatial encodings to generate an active guidance signal and the wavefront error estimate for the primary optical element.

Abstract: A radiation detector includes material for absorbing incident radiation, and for providing a response to heating caused by the absorption of photons from the incident radiation. The radiation detector may include multiple pixels, each with one or more layers of absorbing material. The absorbing material may include black (microstructured) silicon, which has the advantage of being a good absorber of radiation in the short wave infrared (SWIR) wavelengths (as well as ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths and visible light wavelengths). The radiation detector may include multiple pixels, each separately responding to radiation incident on that pixel, and each including black silicon (as well as possibly other absorptive materials). The pixels of the detector may each have cantilevered attachment to a frame of the detector, with differences in coefficient of thermal expansion of materials of the pixels causing deflection of parts of the pixels due to heating from absorption of radiation.

Abstract: The spectral diversity of the iris can be used as a unique biometric identifier. By careful selection of a number of spectral bands, four or more, the hyper-spectral signature derived from data contained in those bands can distinguish color signatures that are not visually distinguishable in RGB color space to uniquely identify a person. Classification of hyper-spectral signatures requires less spatial resolution than the classification of texture signatures, maybe an order of magnitude or more. This reduces the size of the sensor aperture required at a given range.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a sensor to locate and track an object of interest; an imaging camera having a plurality of detectors juxtapositionally aligned to increase the field of regard of an image of interest and a plurality of corresponding illuminators, each illuminator co-aligned with the field of view of a corresponding detector; and a digital processor connected to the sensor to receive tracking signals indicative of the track of the object of interest and connected to the imaging camera to provide a control signal to the imaging camera to activate each one of the detectors when the object of interest is within the field of view of a detector.

Abstract: Some embodiments pertain to an optical zoom system. The optical zoom system includes a first inward-facing surface that is at least partly reflective and a second inward-facing surface that is at least partly reflective. The optical zoom system further includes a first aperture that includes a plurality of sub-apertures which are positioned around at least a portion of an outer periphery of one of the first and second inward facing surfaces. Each sub-aperture includes an optically powered element. The optical zoom system further includes a second aperture that exists proximate a central region of the optical zoom system. Light is reflected on the first and second inward facing surfaces as the light travels between the first aperture and the second aperture such that the light is optically combined into a single image before exiting the second aperture.

Abstract: An optical apparatus and method for measuring the attitude of an object in outer space includes an optical system having an aperture to receive optical radiation and a focal plane to image the optical radiation and an aperture-sharing element attached to the optical element and at least partially surrounding an optical path into the aperture. The aperture-sharing element directs optical radiation from a field of view of the aperture-sharing element to a corresponding first portion of the focal plane to provide multi-axis stellar attitude measurements, and the aperture receives optical radiation along the optical path into the aperture and directs the optical radiation to a second portion of the focal plane.

Abstract: A discrete wavefront measurement device uses a variable transmission filter (VTF) to decouple the dynamic range of tilt angle measurements in the wavefront from the spatial sampling resolution and the measurement sensitivity as regards the physics of the readout. This approach allows the discrete wavefront measurement device to be configured to a specified dynamic range, transverse sampling resolution and measurement sensitivity at low cost.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for generating image data comprises a focal-plane array of unit cells, a controller, and a memory structure having a plurality of storage locations. Each unit cell may store charge based on detected photons. The controller may read a value based on the stored charge from at least some of the unit cells, and either add the read value to an existing value in the corresponding storage location when operating in frame-sum mode, or add the read value to an existing value in a shifted storage location when operating in time-delay integration (TDI) mode. This may allow faint objects as well as objects moving in the field-of-view of the focal-plane array to be observed. The integrated circuit may be fabricated from radiation-hardened CMOS technology and may be a layer of a sensor chip assembly.

Abstract: By sharing tasks between the CV and the KVs, the MKV interceptor provides a cost-effective missile defense system capable of intercepting and killing multiple targets. The placement of the acquisition and discrimination sensor and control sensor on the CV to provide target acquisition and discrimination and mid-course guidance for all the KVs avoids the weight and complexity issues associated with trying to “miniaturize” unitary interceptors. The placement of either a short-band imaging sensor and headlamp or a MWIR sensor on each KV overcomes the latency, resolution and bandwidth problems associated with command guidance systems and allows each KV to precisely select a desirable aimpoint and maintain track on that aimpoint to impact. An implicit divert and attitude control system (DACS) using tow or more divert thrusters performs KV divert and attitude maneuvers to respond to the command guidance pre-handover and to maintain track on the aimpoint to terminal intercept post-handover.

Abstract: An optical apparatus and method for measuring the attitude of an object in outer space includes an optical system having an aperture to receive optical radiation and a focal plane to image the optical radiation and an aperture-sharing element attached to the optical element and at least partially surrounding an optical path into the aperture. The aperture-sharing element directs optical radiation from a field of view of the aperture-sharing element to a corresponding first portion of the focal plane to provide multi-axis stellar attitude measurements, and the aperture receives optical radiation along the optical path into the aperture and directs the optical radiation to a second portion of the focal plane.