Abstract: A free-space optical communication terminal includes a first transmitter configured to transmit data using a first light beam in a short-wavelength infrared band (e.g., around 1.5 ?m), a second transmitter configurable to transmit data using a second light beam in a mid-wavelength or long-wavelength infrared band (e.g., around 10 ?m), an optical multiplexer coupled to the first transmitter and the second transmitter and configured to multiplex the first light beam and the second light beam into a multiplexed light beam, and a reflective optical antenna configured to transmit the multiplexed light beam into atmosphere. In some implementations, the reflective optical antenna includes one or more telescopes formed by mirrors, and the mirrors are characterized by a reflective band covering at least the short-wavelength infrared band and the long-wavelength infrared band.

Abstract: A free-space optical communication terminal includes an optical antenna configured to receive, through a first aperture, a laser beam characterized by wavelengths in a first wavelength range, a collimator configured to couple the received laser beam into an optical fiber, a receiver subsystem comprising a first bandpass filter characterized by a pass band including the first wavelength range, a transmitter subsystem configured to generate a laser beam to be transmitted through the first aperture by the optical antenna and characterized by wavelengths in a second wavelength range outside of the pass band of the first bandpass filter, and a circulator coupled to the optical fiber, the receiver subsystem, and the transmitter subsystem. The circulator is configured to direct the received laser beam from the optical fiber to the receiver subsystem, and direct the laser beam to be transmitted from the transmitter subsystem to the optical fiber.

Abstract: A free-space optical communication terminal includes an optical head, a steering device configurable to move the optical head, and one or more controllers. The optical head includes a position sensitive detector configured to measure a position of a received laser beam, a micro-gimbaled deformable mirror configurable to modify a wavefront of the received laser beam, and a wavefront sensor configured to measure a wavefront profile of a portion of the received laser beam. The one or more controllers are configured to control the steering device to correct aberrations within a first frequency band, control the micro-gimbaled deformable mirror to correct aberrations within a second frequency band based on the measured wavefront profile, and control the micro-gimbaled deformable mirror to correct aberrations within a third frequency band higher than the second frequency band.

Abstract: An optical system includes an optical antenna configured to receive and/or transmit laser beams through a first aperture, a gimbal-mounted deformable mirror (GDM) configurable to correct aberrations of a received laser beam, a power selector configurable to split the received laser beam into a first light beam and a second light beam, a wavefront sensor configured to measure a wavefront of the first light beam, a collimator configured to couple the second light beam into an optical fiber, and a controller configured to control the GDM for laser beam tracking and for correcting the aberrations of the received laser beam based on the wavefront of the first light beam measured by the wavefront sensor. The GDM is configurable to scan, within a field of regard (FOR), a beacon beam to be transmitted for laser beam tracking; or scan within the FOR to acquire a beacon beam transmitted by a terminal.

Abstract: An optical system includes an optical antenna configured to receive and/or transmit laser beams through a first aperture, a gimbal-mounted deformable mirror (GDM) configurable to correct aberrations of a received laser beam, a power selector configurable to split the received laser beam into a first light beam and a second light beam, a wavefront sensor configured to measure a wavefront of the first light beam, a collimator configured to couple the second light beam into an optical fiber, and a controller configured to control the GDM for laser beam tracking and for correcting the aberrations of the received laser beam based on the wavefront of the first light beam measured by the wavefront sensor. The GDM is configurable to scan, within a field of regard (FOR), a beacon beam to be transmitted for laser beam tracking; or scan within the FOR to acquire a beacon beam transmitted by a terminal.

Abstract: A free-space optical communication terminal includes an optical antenna configured to receive, through a first aperture, a laser beam characterized by wavelengths in a first wavelength range, a collimator configured to couple the received laser beam into an optical fiber, a receiver subsystem comprising a first bandpass filter characterized by a pass band including the first wavelength range, a transmitter subsystem configured to generate a laser beam to be transmitted through the first aperture by the optical antenna and characterized by wavelengths in a second wavelength range outside of the pass band of the first bandpass filter, and a circulator coupled to the optical fiber, the receiver subsystem, and the transmitter subsystem. The circulator is configured to direct the received laser beam from the optical fiber to the receiver subsystem, and direct the laser beam to be transmitted from the transmitter subsystem to the optical fiber.

Abstract: A free-space optical communication terminal includes a first transmitter configured to transmit data using a first light beam in a short-wavelength infrared band (e.g., around 1.5 ?m), a second transmitter configurable to transmit data using a second light beam in a mid-wavelength or long-wavelength infrared band (e.g., around 10 ?m), an optical multiplexer coupled to the first transmitter and the second transmitter and configured to multiplex the first light beam and the second light beam into a multiplexed light beam, and a reflective optical antenna configured to transmit the multiplexed light beam into atmosphere. In some implementations, the reflective optical antenna includes one or more telescopes formed by mirrors, and the mirrors are characterized by a reflective band covering at least the short-wavelength infrared band and the long-wavelength infrared band.

Abstract: A free-space optical communication terminal includes an optical head, a steering device configurable to move the optical head, and one or more controllers. The optical head includes a position sensitive detector configured to measure a position of a received laser beam, a micro-gimbaled deformable mirror configurable to modify a wavefront of the received laser beam, and a wavefront sensor configured to measure a wavefront profile of a portion of the received laser beam. The one or more controllers are configured to control the steering device to correct aberrations within a first frequency band, control the micro-gimbaled deformable mirror to correct aberrations within a second frequency band based on the measured wavefront profile, and control the micro-gimbaled deformable mirror to correct aberrations within a third frequency band higher than the second frequency band.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an exemplary bipod device that includes a first shaft and a second shaft. The first and the second shaft are attached together by a connector. Also, attached to the first shaft is a first platform and attached to the second shaft is a second platform. Additionally, disclosed herein is an exemplary bipod system that includes a bipod comprising a first and a second shaft, and a connector connected to the first and second shaft. The bipod system further includes a first platform attached to the first shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an exemplary bipod device that includes a first shaft and a second shaft. The first and the second shaft are attached together by a connector. Also, attached to the first shaft is a first platform and attached to the second shaft is a second platform. Additionally, disclosed herein is an exemplary bipod system that includes a bipod comprising a first and a second shaft, and a connector connected to the first and second shaft. The bipod system further includes a first platform attached to the first shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an exemplary bipod device that includes a first shaft and a second shaft. The first and the second shaft are attached together by a connector. Also, attached to the first shaft is a first platform and attached to the second shaft is a second platform. Additionally, disclosed herein is an exemplary bipod system that includes a bipod comprising a first and a second shaft, and a connector connected to the first and second shaft. The bipod system further includes a first platform attached to the first shaft.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lightweight harness system that may be used to secure binoculars, cameras, and similar devices. The harness comprising a single strand of elastic cordage and fit for the harness may be altered using a single adjuster clip.

Abstract: A drilling assembly, drilling system and method is provided. The drilling system includes a drilling rig with a drill string deployable therefrom and drivable thereby. The drill string has a bottom hole assembly with a drill bit at a lower end thereof advanceable into a subterranean formation to form a wellbore. The drilling assembly includes at least one mandrel operatively connectable to the drill string, at least one sleeve positionable about the mandrel (the sleeve having an offset stabilizer on an outer surface thereof selectively positionable in contact with a wall of the wellbore), and an orienter with a receptacle on an interior of the sleeve and a socket on an exterior of the mandrel. The socket is interlockingly engageable with the receptacle whereby the sleeve is orientable about the drill string. The one mandrel and the sleeve have a mass offset from the drill string whereby rotation of the drill string is affected during drilling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for local provisioning of a network interface unit. The local provisioning is performed by depressing a pushbutton on the front panel for an extended set determined time, at which time the NIU enters into the local provisioning mode. During this mode, a plurality of LEDs, corresponding to specific provision options, are sequentially lit. When the desired LED provision option is lit, the button is pressed to achieve the desired provisioning. The local provisioning mode is automatically exited after scrolling through all the LEDs.