Abstract: A sensing system. In some embodiments, the system includes a first imaging radio frequency receiver, a second imaging radio frequency receiver, a first optical beam combiner, a first imaging optical receiver, a second optical beam combiner, and an optical detector array. The first optical beam combiner may be configured to combine optical signals of the imaging radio frequency receivers. The second optical beam combiner may be configured to combine the optical signals of the imaging radio frequency receivers, and the optical signal of the first imaging optical receiver.

Abstract: A sensing system. In some embodiments, the sensing system includes an imaging radio frequency receiver, an imaging radio frequency to optical converter, an imaging optical receiver, an optical beam combiner, and an imaging optical detector. The optical beam combiner is configured to combine an optical signal of the imaging radio frequency to optical converter, and an optical signal of the imaging optical receiver. In operation, the imaging radio frequency receiver, the imaging radio frequency to optical converter, and the optical beam combiner together form, on the imaging optical detector, an optical image of a radio frequency scene within a field of view of the imaging radio frequency receiver, and the imaging optical receiver and the optical beam combiner together form, on the imaging optical detector, an optical image of an optical scene within a field of view of the imaging optical receiver.

Abstract: A situation awareness sensor includes a plurality of N sensor channels, each channel including an optical phased array (OPA) having a plurality of solid-state laser emitters, a command circuit and a detector. The command circuit controls the relative phase between the laser emitters to command a divergence, shape and exit angle of a spot-beam to scan a channel field-of-view (FOV). The OPAs may be controlled individually or in combination to command one or more spot-beams to scan an aggregate sensor FOV and to track one or more objects.

Abstract: A photonic integrated circuit (PIC) provides a common architecture to feed both optical and RF phased arrays to produce steerable co-boresighted optical and RF beams from a single chip. The PIC may be used for guidance, mobile data links, autonomous vehicles and 5G cellular communications. A plurality of switches are monolithically fabricated on the PIC with the optical feed network to switch the optical power of the phase-modulated optical channel signals between the integrated optical antennas and the RF antennas to produce steerable optical and RF beams. The photo-detectors and RF antennas may be discrete components or integrated with the optical feed network. To ensure that the optical and RF beams are co-boresighted (within a specified angular tolerance) for the same steering commands, the PIC is positioned within the RF antenna array footprint.

Abstract: A multiple target tracker and beam steerer utilizes liquid crystal waveguide (LCWG) beam steering to illuminate multiple tracked targets per frame one target at a time for designation, range finding or active imaging. The steering rate and range afforded by the LCWG supports various tracker configurations (out-of-band, in-band or dual-band video cameras), LADAR detectors (single pixel or pixelated) and prioritization of tracked targets to vary the revisit rate or dwell time for an illuminated target. A user interface accepts commands from an operator to select the targeting mode, control cue-box size and position within the FOV and target selection.

Abstract: Imaging systems and a method of generating an image. One example of an imaging system includes a detection subsystem including a focal plane array (FPA) coupled to a read-out integrated circuit (ROIC), the ROIC being configured to activate a portion of the FPA in a selected pattern during an integration period, an optical scanning subsystem including an optical source and a waveguide, the waveguide being configured to direct optical radiation generated by the optical source within a field of view of the detection subsystem and over an area of a scene, the portion of the FPA activated in the selected pattern corresponding to the area of the scene, and an adaptive polymer lens assembly positioned at an aperture of the imaging system shared by the detection subsystem and the optical scanning subsystem, the adaptive polymer lens assembly being configured to adjust an optical magnification of the scene.

Abstract: A multiple target tracker and beam steerer utilizes a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) micro-mirror array to illuminate multiple tracked targets per frame one target at a time for designation, range finding or active imaging. The steering rate and range afforded by the MEMS micro-mirror array supports various tracker configurations (out-of-band, in-band or dual-band video cameras), LADAR detectors (single pixel or pixelated) and prioritization of tracked targets to vary the revisit rate or dwell time for an illuminated target. A user interface accepts commands from an operator to select the targeting mode, control cue-box size and position within the FOV and target selection. The MEMS micro-mirror array may be used to reflect beams and/or optical signals, in some embodiments.

Abstract: Imaging systems and method of optical imaging. One example of an imaging system includes an optical scanning subsystem including an optical source and a waveguide, the waveguide being configured to direct optical radiation generated by the optical source over an area of a scene, a detection subsystem including an optical sensor configured to collect reflected optical radiation from the area of the scene, and a fused fiber focusing assembly including a fused fiber bundle, a plurality of lenses coupled together and positioned to receive and focus the reflected optical radiation from the area of the scene directly onto the fused fiber bundle, a microlens array interposed between the fused fiber bundle and the optical sensor and positioned to receive the reflected optical radiation from the fused fiber bundle, and a focusing lens positioned to direct the reflected optical radiation from the microlens array onto the optical sensor.

Abstract: A system for aligning a weapon to a high-performance target sensor. A reference measurement sensor installed on the target sensor measures the direction and range to each of several references points on the weapon. From these measurements, and measurement by the target sensor of target states, a processing circuit calculates the states of the target in a coordinate system of the weapon. Each reference point may be a retroreflector; the reference measurement sensor may include an imaging sensor to measure direction, and a laser range finder to measure range.

Abstract: Aspects and embodiments are generally directed to active imaging systems and methods. In one example, an active imaging system includes a positioning system configured to detect a direction of motion of the imaging system relative to a scene, an optical source positioned to emit electromagnetic radiation, a non-mechanical beamsteering device positioned to receive the electromagnetic radiation from the optical source and configured to scan the electromagnetic radiation over at least a first portion of the scene within an instantaneous field-of-view of an optical receiver, and the optical receiver positioned to receive reflections of the electromagnetic radiation from at least the first portion of the scene within the instantaneous field-of-view, wherein the first portion of the scene is within a first edge region of the instantaneous field-of-view of the optical receiver, the first edge region being in the direction of motion of the imaging system.

Abstract: Optical systems and methods for object detection and location. One example of an optical system includes a laser radar optical source positioned to emit a pulsed laser beam, a non-mechanical beamsteering device positioned to scan the beam in a linear scan over a first area of a scene, a laser radar detector positioned to receive and integrate a reflection of the beam, a read-out integrated circuit (ROIC) configured to provide a first read-out signal based on the integrated reflection, and a controller configured to receive the first read-out signal, determine a range to the first area based on a time of flight of the pulsed laser beam, and identify a presence of an object within the scene based on a signal level of the first read-out signal, the first signal level corresponding to a reflectivity of a portion of the object within the first area of the scene.

Abstract: Aspects are generally directed to an inter-satellite communication system and method of communicating between satellites. In one example, an inter-satellite communication system includes a first satellite transceiver having an entrance aperture, and a non-mechanical beamsteering device configured to steer a first beam of encoded optical data over a field of view thereof. The first satellite transceiver may include coarse steering optics configured to extend a field of regard of the non-mechanical beamsteering device. During a transmit mode, the coarse steering optics are positioned to transmit the first beam of encoded optical data through the entrance aperture in a direction of a second satellite transceiver. The first satellite transceiver may also include a beam splitter positioned, during a receive mode, to receive a second beam of encoded optical data from the second satellite transceiver and direct the second beam of encoded optical data to an optical sensor.

Abstract: A multiple target tracker and beam steerer utilizes liquid crystal waveguide (LCWG) beam steering to illuminate multiple tracked targets per frame one target at a time for designation, range finding or active imaging. The steering rate and range afforded by the LCWG supports various tracker configurations (out-of-band, in-band or dual-band video cameras), LADAR detectors (single pixel or pixelated) and prioritization of tracked targets to vary the revisit rate or dwell time for an illuminated target. A user interface accepts commands from an operator to select the targeting mode, control cue-box size and position within the FOV and target selection.

Abstract: Aspects and embodiments are generally directed to optical systems, receivers, and methods. In one example, an optical receiver includes a plurality of fused fiber optic bundles, at least a first fused fiber optic bundle of the plurality of fused fiber optic bundles positioned to collect optical radiation from a scene, a multi-mode fiber optic cable coupled to each fused fiber optic bundle of the plurality of fused fiber optic bundles, the multi-mode fiber optic cable configured to propagate the collected optical radiation from each of the plurality of fused fiber optic bundles along a length of the multi-mode fiber optic cable, and a photo-detector coupled to the multi-mode fiber optic cable and configured to receive the collected optical radiation. A field of view of each fused fiber optic bundle of the plurality of fused fiber optic bundles may collectively define a substantially omnidirectional field of view of the photo-detector.

Abstract: Embodiments of a computing device and optical data switching circuitry are generally described herein. A processing element of the optical data switching circuitry may generate a plurality of optical data signals, and may send the optical data signals to an optical switch of the optical data switching circuitry. The optical switch may transmit the optical signals to a fiber optic router for relay to different destinations. The optical switch may switch between transmission directions for transmission of the optical signals to different receiving ports of the fiber optic router. The receiving ports of the fiber optic router may be mapped to the different destinations, in some cases.

Abstract: A ring amplifier amplifies one or more spot-beams that scan a circular pattern in a two-dimensional FOV to extend the range of range steerable laser transmitter or an active situational sensor. Mechanical, solid-state or optical phase array techniques may be used to scan the spot-beam(s) in the circular pattern. Mirrors are preferably positioned to redirect the spot-beams to enter and exit the ring amplifier through sidewalls to amplify the spot-beam and return it along a path to scan the circular pattern. For efficiency, the pumps and thermal control may be synchronized to the circular scan pattern to only pump and cool the section of gain medium in which the spot-beam is currently scanned and the next section of gain medium in the circular scan pattern.

Abstract: A multiple target tracker and beam steerer utilizes liquid crystal waveguide (LCWG) beam steering to illuminate multiple tracked targets per frame one target at a time for designation, range finding or active imaging. The steering rate and range afforded by the LCWG supports various tracker configurations (out-of-band, in-band or dual-band video cameras), LADAR detectors (single pixel or pixelated) and prioritization of tracked targets to vary the revisit rate or dwell time for an illuminated target. A user interface accepts commands from an operator to select the targeting mode, control cue-box size and position within the FOV and target selection.

Abstract: A system for aligning a weapon to a high-performance target sensor. A reference measurement sensor installed on the target sensor measures the direction and range to each of several references points on the weapon. From these measurements, and measurement by the target sensor of target states, a processing circuit calculates the states of the target in a coordinate system of the weapon. Each reference point may be a retroreflector; the reference measurement sensor may include an imaging sensor to measure direction, and a laser range finder to measure range.

Abstract: A situation awareness sensor includes a plurality of N sensor channels, each channel including an optical phased array (OPA) having a plurality of solid-state laser emitters, a command circuit and a detector. The command circuit controls the relative phase between the laser emitters to command a divergence, shape and exit angle of a spot-beam to scan a channel field-of-view (FOV). The OPAs may be controlled individually or in combination to command one or more spot-beams to scan an aggregate sensor FOV and to track one or more objects.

Abstract: A system for providing active refraction feedback for devices with a variable index of refraction includes a reference beam generator and an altered reference beam sensor. The reference beam generator is configured to generate a reference beam and to apply the reference beam to a variable-index-of-refraction (VIR) device. The VIR device is configured to generate an altered reference beam based on the reference beam and based on an index of refraction for the VIR device. The altered reference beam sensor is configured to detect the altered reference beam and to sense a characteristic of the altered reference beam corresponding to the index of refraction.