Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding method for line-scan imaging includes a 2D array of light-sensitive detector elements divided into a plurality of sub-arrays. An electrical circuit can be configured to determine a correction for parallax based on detector element values from at least two rows of parallax detecting elements to enable images captured by the sub-arrays to be co-aligned with each other. The 2D array and parallax detecting elements can be located on the same substrate chip. Image data from sub-arrays can be co-aligned with each other based on parallax data from the parallax detecting elements and used to produce hyperspectral images corrected for parallax.

Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding method for line-scan imaging can include a 2D array of light-sensitive detector elements that detect light from a target scene. The 2D array can be divided into a plurality of sub-arrays and supported by an analog amplification and signal conditioning module portion of a read-out integrated circuit (ROIC), the analog module having one or more replicated amplification and signal conditioning circuits in communication with the 2D array detector elements. An analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion electrical circuit module and one or more digital time-delay and integration (TDI) modules can be situated in a portion of the ROIC not supporting the 2D array. The TDI modules can perform TDI of the detector sub-arrays. Embodiments enable hyperspectral images to be obtained with greater imaging range and higher signal-to-noise ratios.

Abstract: A multi field of view (FOV) imaging system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a dual FOV imaging system includes a composite lens array including a first lens set positioned to focus a first type of FOV and a second lens set positioned to focus a second type of FOV and a composite focal plane array (FPA) including multiple focal plane arrays (FPAs). Further, the composite FPA is disposed at the first type of FOV and the second type of FOV for producing a seamless mosaic dual FOV image of a target region.

Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding method for line-scan imaging can include a 2D array of light-sensitive detector elements that detect light from a target scene. The 2D array can be divided into a plurality of sub-arrays and supported by an analog amplification and signal conditioning module portion of a read-out integrated circuit (ROIC), the analog module having one or more replicated amplification and signal conditioning circuits in communication with the 2D array detector elements. An analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion electrical circuit module and one or more digital time-delay and integration (TDI) modules can be situated in a portion of the ROIC not supporting the 2D array. The TDI modules can perform TDI of the detector sub-arrays. Embodiments enable hyperspectral images to be obtained with greater imaging range and higher signal-to-noise ratios.

Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding method for line-scan imaging includes a 2D array of light-sensitive detector elements divided into a plurality of sub-arrays. An electrical circuit can be configured to determine a correction for parallax based on detector element values from at least two rows of parallax detecting elements to enable images captured by the sub-arrays to be co-aligned with each other. The 2D array and parallax detecting elements can be located on the same substrate chip. Image data from sub-arrays can be co-aligned with each other based on parallax data from the parallax detecting elements and used to produce hyperspectral images corrected for parallax.

Abstract: An apparatus for optical spectrometry utilizes a simplified construction, reducing the number of independent optical elements needed while providing a sizeable dispersed spectrum. The apparatus provides a spectral intensity distribution of an input source wherein individual spectral components in the source can be measured and, in some embodiments, can be manipulated or filtered.

Abstract: A compact momentum-balanced internal optical scanning mechanism is provided for a wide angle camera used in photo reconnaissance and the like, in which a large high resolution but not fully populated array is used to provide full scene coverage with high pixel densities, in which sharpness is maintained and in which the image can be scanned without vibration due to momentum compensation so that the image may be shifted on the focal plane array in such a manner that images focused on a dark portion of the array will move to an active portion of the array, with the sequential read out of the information concatenated into high resolution full scene image data.

Abstract: An apparatus for optical spectrometry utilizes a simplified construction, reducing the number of independent optical elements needed while providing a sizeable dispersed spectrum. The apparatus provides a spectral intensity distribution of an input source wherein individual spectral components in the source can be measured and, in some embodiments, can be manipulated or filtered.

Abstract: An apparatus for optical spectrometry utilizes a simplified construction, reducing the number of independent optical elements needed while providing a sizeable dispersed spectrum. The apparatus provides a spectral intensity distribution of an input source wherein individual spectral components in the source can be measured and, in some embodiments, can be manipulated or filtered.

Abstract: A multi field of view (FOV) imaging system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a dual FOV imaging system includes a composite lens array including a first lens set positioned to focus a first type of FOV and a second lens set positioned to focus a second type of FOV and a composite focal plane array (FPA) including multiple focal plane arrays (FPAs). Further, the composite FPA is disposed at the first type of FOV and the second type of FOV for producing a seamless mosaic dual FOV image of a target region.

Abstract: A compact momentum-balanced internal optical scanning mechanism is provided for a wide angle camera used in photo reconnaissance and the like, in which a large high resolution but not fully populated array is used to provide full scene coverage with high pixel densities, in which sharpness is maintained and in which the image can be scanned without vibration due to momentum compensation so that the image may be shifted on the focal plane array in such a manner that images focused on a dark portion of the array will move to an active portion of the array, with the sequential read out of the information concatenated into high resolution full scene image data.

Abstract: In the subject three-axis pointing system, the elevation and tip mirror axes are permanently mounted with their rotation axes orthogonal to each other to eliminate gimbal lock over the hemisphere, to avoid high accelerations as the zenith or nadir pointing directions are approached, and to provide optimal two-axis beam pointing control.

Abstract: An apparatus for optical spectrometry utilizes a simplified construction, reducing the number of independent optical elements needed while providing a sizeable dispersed spectrum. The apparatus provides a spectral intensity distribution of an input source wherein individual spectral components in the source can be measured and, in some embodiments, can be manipulated or filtered.

Abstract: In the subject three-axis pointing system, the elevation and tip mirror axes are permanently mounted with their rotation axes orthogonal to each other to eliminate gimbal lock over the hemisphere, to avoid high accelerations as the zenith or nadir pointing directions are approached, and to provide optimal two-axis beam pointing control.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for rapid, accurate OSNR measurements by directly measuring the spectrally-resolved State of Polarization (SOP) variation across each DWDM channel and using a polarization controller to deterministically extinguish the signal across narrow frequency subbands within each DWDM channel. In-band ASE noise is subsequently measured as a function of frequency across the channel bandwidth.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for compensating for polarization mode dispersion in an optical transmission system without perturbing the laser source. The present invention compensates for PMD by transferring a sufficient fraction of the light signal in an optical transmission system substantially into a single PSP of the system. As a result, each light pulse in a data stream is not substantially mixed with temporally adjacent light pulses or bit periods.

Abstract: An athermalized delay line having two optical paths whose difference in optical path length is thermally insensitive. Each optical path typically includes a reflecting quarterwave plate, each path being fed by the output from a polarizing beamsplitter. The delay line is suitable for incorporation into a PMD compensator having at least one compensation stage formed from a polarization controller and an athermalized delay line.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for rapid, accurate OSNR measurements by directly measuring the spectrally-resolved State of Polarization (SOP) variation across each DWDM channel and using a polarization controller to deterministically extinguish the signal across narrow frequency subbands within each DWDM channel. In-band ASE noise is subsequently measured as a function of frequency across the channel bandwidth.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for correcting polarization mode dispersion (PMD) and other transmission distortions in a light signal. By performing measurements of polarization state versus frequency on an intrachannel basis, the first-order and higher-order variations in the polarization state in the channel due to distortions such as PMD may be identified and characterized. Having identified and characterized the variations, the effects of the distortion may be compensated for and substantially eliminated. The methods and apparatus are not limited to single channel configurations but, instead, embrace configuration such as DWDM that carry a plurality of communication channels over a single fiber link.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for polarimetric measurements across a spectral range, such as determining the polarimetric state across a wavelength band in a wavelength-division multiplexed fiber optic channel. A variable phase delay is introduced between orthogonal polarization components in an incident light. The resulting intensity changes are used to compute parameters indicative of the polarimetric state of the light. These measurements may be used, for example, for polarimetric imaging, polarimetric component characterization, and measuring polarization states in a fiber link.