Abstract: Optical unit for a projective optical metrological system, which receives a light signal coming from a light constellation comprising a number of light sources; the optical unit includes: an optoelectronic image acquisition system and a first and a second optical circuit, which receive the light signal and are traversed by a first and a second optical beam, respectively. The first and the second optical circuits direct, respectively, at least a first part of the first optical beam and at least a first part of the second optical beam on the optoelectronic image acquisition system, so as to cause the simultaneous formation of two different images of the constellation in the optoelectronic image acquisition system. The optical unit further includes an electronic processing unit coupled to the optoelectronic image acquisition system, which determines a number of quantities indicative of the position and/or attitude of the light constellation with respect to the optical unit, based on the two images.

Abstract: A fire control method against aerial targets flying toward a protection object when the position of the protection object is known includes measuring the position of the aerial target, estimating the position of the aerial target, estimating the velocity of the aerial target, predicting the future path of the aerial target from the estimated position of the aerial target and the estimated velocity of the aerial target, and deciding, on the basis of the predicted path, whether the aerial target i.) is incoming and thus a threat against the protection object, ii.) is passing by and thus not a threat to the protection object.

Abstract: A three-loop inertial stabilization system with active jitter suppression and optical control to reduce line-of-sight (LOS) jitter based on platform induced motion in cantilevered gimbal systems. A first loop comprises at least one rate sensor, a Kalman state estimator, and a rate to angle module. A second loop comprises a mirror system, a focal plane and centroid processing module, an open-loop closed loop selector, a signal combiner and a loop integrator. A third loop comprises a fast steering mirror, offload module and at least one gimbal motor driver, wherein the three loops suppress the jitter of the cantilevered gimbal system.

Abstract: A wide field-of-view celestial sighting system and method are provided. The method includes orienting an imaging optic to collect light from at least one light source, such as at least one celestial body, the imaging optic being secured to a platform. The method further includes selectively collecting light from the at least one celestial body through a selective light collector secured to the platform and positioned in an imaging surface, such as an imaging plane, of the imaging optic. The method further includes combining forward scattered light from the at least one celestial body to provide a combined forward scattered light, and detecting a light intensity of the combined forward scattered light. Systems for performing the method are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for measuring vascular deficiency using Doppler ultrasound detection. Embodiments can be used to monitor the condition of surgical tissue flaps or other conditions in which obstruction in the vascular system can impact patient health. The systems can include a Doppler ultrasound probe, a color probe, a temperature probe, and/or other suitable probes to measure blood volume and perfusion status of a tissue region. The systems and methods can be used to monitor flaps after flap transplant surgeries. The systems and methods can automatedly assess tissue condition and alert the patient or medical staff if the condition has fallen below a threshold indicating occlusion of a blood vessel. One or more additional sensors can be integrated into a probe to measure vascular conditions and a metric can be computed based on sensed data.

Abstract: A compact SFS may can be deployed in small space vehicles. The SFS may have a small size, weight, and low power requirements. The hardware, software, catalogs, and calibration algorithm of the SFS provide highly accurate attitude information that can be used for pointing. For instance, accurate attitude determination may be provided that supports pointing of a deployable high gain helical antenna. A full “lost in space” attitude solution, accurate to about an arcminute, may be accomplished in under a minute. The SFS may be fully reprogrammable on orbit, allowing continued algorithm development and deployment after launch.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for facilitating pulse detection and imaging. In one example, a device includes a detector configured to detect electromagnetic radiation and generate a detection signal based on the detected electromagnetic radiation. The device further includes an input circuit configured to provide, based on the detection signal, a first signal and a second signal. The device further includes an imaging integration circuit configured to generate an image of at least a portion of a scene based at least in part on the first signal. The device further includes a pulse detection circuit configured to perform pulse detection to generate an indication of whether a pulse is detected in the portion of the scene based at least in part on the second signal. Related methods and systems are also provided.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a system for determining a distance, comprising: a light source for projecting a pattern of discrete spots of laser light towards the object in a sequence of pulses; a detector comprising picture elements, for detecting light representing the pattern as reflected by the object in synchronization with the sequence of pulses; and processing means to calculate the distance to the object as a function of exposure values generated by said picture elements. The picture elements generate the exposure values by accumulating a first amount of electrical charge representative of a first amount of light reflected during a first time window and a second electrical charge representative of a second amount of light reflected during a second time window, the second time window occurring after the first time window. The picture elements comprise at least two sets of charge storage wells, each configured as a cascade.

Abstract: A light sensor system including a reference light source that moves in unison with a primary mirror and/or an inertial measurement device, and/or the reference light source is directed toward an obscured region of the light sensor system. The reference light source may allow for improved jitter compensation based on feedback of the reference light. The feedback may be representative of the elastic deformation of the optics and telescope optical axis. The improved jitter compensation may allow for the light sensor system (e.g., the housing and/or mirrors) to be built with less stiff materials, which can reduce the cost of manufacturing the present light sensor system compared to previously known optical sensor systems. In cases of high vibration levels which would otherwise degrade the resulting image quality after material stiffness property selections have been exhausted, the light sensor system may provide jitter compensation to improve video or still image quality.

Abstract: A protection and defence system for an infrastructure against a threat approaching the infrastructure, comprising at least one effector. When a threat is determined, the at least one effector dispenses a non-lethal countermeasure which damages the threat and thus causes its crash. Vision and target tracker, such as at least a camera and tracker, and at least one directing/actuating drive are allocated to the effector or effectors. The effector and the vision and target tracker thereof are supported by a modular platform which can be fixedly installed to/on various infrastructures, can be removed therefrom and be used in a mobile mode. In addition, the platforms comprise a sensor that detects the spatial position of the effectors.

Abstract: The system is configured to generate a display comprising a longitude-time graph comprising. The longitude-time graph may include a longitude axis spanning from a lower-longitude limit to an upper-longitude limit, a time axis spanning from a lower-time limit to an upper-time limit and a plurality of pixels corresponding to longitude-time points within the longitude-time graph, each of the plurality of longitude-time points corresponding to a set of identifiers having a time identifier between the lower-time limit and the upper-time limit and having a longitude identifier between the lower-longitude limit and the upper-longitude limit. In response to a user selection of a time identifier and a name identifier, the system can generate a display of at least one of the plurality of photographs.

Abstract: The system is configured to generate a display comprising a longitude-time graph. The system is also configured to generate a display that includes a longitude-time graph. The display can be configured to indicate an automatic selection of at least a second track representation corresponding to a second track that includes a plurality of the sets of identifiers, the second track representation may be selected based on a determination that the second track is associated with the same orbital object as the first track in response to a user selection of the first track representation.

Abstract: A lidar system can include a solid-state laser to emit pulses of light. The solid-state laser can include a Q-switched laser having a gain medium and a Q-switch. The lidar system can also include a scanner configured to scan the emitted pulses of light across a field of regard and a receiver configured to detect at least a portion of the scanned pulses of light scattered by a target located a distance from the lidar system. The lidar system can also include a processor configured to determine the distance from the lidar system to the target based at least in part on a round-trip time of flight for an emitted pulse of light to travel from the lidar system to the target and back to the lidar system.

Abstract: A small, ultra-light-weight star tracker for space applications uses an out-of-field rejection filter to reduce the physical size and mass of the star tracker by effectively eliminating the need for a sun shade. The out-of-field rejection filter combines a converter for converting randomly polarized light to p-polarized light with an angular selectivity filter that can reject out-of-field p-polarized light. The underside of the angular selectivity filter can be used to reflect a calibrated light source into the optical path.

Abstract: A turbulence-free CCD camera system with nonclassical imaging resolution, for applications in long-distance imaging, such as satellite and aircraft-to-ground based distant imaging, utilizing an intensity-fluctuation correlation measurement of thermal light. The proposed camera system has the following advantages over classic imaging technology: (1) it is turbulence-free; (2) its spatial resolution is mainly determined by the angular diameter of the light source. For example, using sun as the light source, this camera may achieve a spatial resolution of 200 micrometer for any object on Earth. 200-micrometer resolution is insignificant for short distance imaging, however, taking a picture of a target at 10-kilometer, a classic camera must have a lens of 90-meter diameter in order to achieve 200-micrometer resolution.

Abstract: A lidar system can include a solid-state laser to emit pulses of light. The solid-state laser can include a Q-switched laser having a gain medium and a Q-switch. The lidar system can also include a scanner configured to scan the emitted pulses of light across a field of regard and a receiver configured to detect at least a portion of the scanned pulses of light scattered by a target located a distance from the lidar system. The lidar system can also include a processor configured to determine the distance from the lidar system to the target based at least in part on a round-trip time of flight for an emitted pulse of light to travel from the lidar system to the target and back to the lidar system.

Abstract: A method for capturing an image of a traffic sign by an image sensor is disclosed. The method may include capturing, by the image sensor, at least one image including the traffic sign, wherein the image sensor is mounted in a vehicle. The method may include detecting, by a processor, the traffic sign in the at least one image. The method may also include in response to detecting the traffic sign, determining, by the processor, at least one direction of the image sensor based on the at least one image and motion of the vehicle. In addition, the method may include adjusting, by the processor, the image sensor to the at least one direction.

Abstract: A computer-implemented planetary surveillance system method and apparatus is presented. A first space object detection system is disposed proximate Earth, wherein the first space object detection systems include a first constellation of Planetary Surveillance System Platforms (PSSPs) that provide warning of asteroids approaching Earth and on a path which has a likelihood of impacting Earth. At least one additional space object detection system is also used.

Abstract: A circuit for correction of a signal which is susceptible to baseline wander. The circuit includes a front-end signal processing circuit, a slicer circuit, and a summing cross-over filter circuit. The front-end signal processing circuit includes a digital processing logic circuit and is used to process an input signal by mitigating signal artifacts. The slicer circuit samples the processed input signal and, therefrom, generates a symbol output derived from the sampled processed input signal. The summing cross-over filter circuit is arranged between the front-end signal processing circuit and the slicer circuit and mitigates baseline wander in the symbol output.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device comprises a first pixel group includes a first photoelectric conversion unit that converts into electric charges reflection light pulses from an object irradiated with an irradiation light pulse, a first electric charge accumulation unit accumulating the electric charges in synchrony with turning on the irradiation light pulses, and a first reset unit resetting the electric charges; and a second pixel group includes a second photoelectric conversion unit that converts the reflection light into electric charges, a second electric charge accumulation unit that accumulates the electric charges synchronously with a switching the irradiation light pulses from on to off, and a second reset unit that releases a reset of the electric charges converted by the second photoelectric conversion unit.

Abstract: A method for localization and mapping, including recording an image at a camera mounted to a vehicle, the vehicle associated with a global system location; identifying a landmark depicted in the image with a landmark identification module of a computing system associated with the vehicle, the identified landmark having a landmark geographic location and a known parameter; extracting a set of landmark parameters from the image with a feature extraction module of the computing system; determining, at the computing system, a relative position between the vehicle and the landmark geographic location based on a comparison between the extracted set of landmark parameters and the known parameter; and updating, at the computing system, the global system location based on the relative position.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosed subject matter involve an airborne-based network for implementing a laser-based visual disruption countermeasure scan pattern system, method, and computer program product. The scan pattern can be comprised of a plurality of lasers each with their own scan pattern and may be used to disrupt an optical system of a weapon or an individual. One vehicle in the network can transmit target information and/or scan information to one or more other vehicles or to a non-vehicle remote location in the network.

Abstract: In a method of tracking an object, a plurality of images of a target object is obtained. A super-resolved image of the target object is calculated from the plurality of images. A further image of the target object is obtained. The further image is correlated with the super-resolved image, in order to identify the location of the target object in the further image.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosed subject matter involve an airborne-based network for implementing a laser-based visual disruption countermeasure scan pattern system, method, and computer program product. The scan pattern can be comprised of a plurality of lasers each with their own scan pattern and may be used to disrupt an optical system of a weapon or an individual. One vehicle in the network can transmit target information and/or scan information to one or more other vehicles or to a non-vehicle remote location in the network.

Abstract: A light sensor includes a primary lens, and a light device spaced from the primary lens. A control structure is disposed between the primary lens and the light device. An actuator is coupled to the control structure to move the control structure relative to the primary lens and the light device to control the passage of light between the primary lens and the light device. The light sensor may include a light emitting sensor having an array of individual light emitters, or a light detecting sensor having a light detector. The control structure may include an array of secondary bi-telecentric lenses for use with the light emitting sensor, or a plate having an aperture extending therethrough for use with the light detecting sensor.

Abstract: An object is to improve accuracy of photon counting in an imaging apparatus. The imaging apparatus includes a light uniformizing unit. The light uniformizing unit included in the imaging apparatus substantially uniformizes distribution of photons in an orthogonal direction toward an optical axis of incident light, which is incident to an imaging element in the imaging apparatus and the number of photons of which is to be detected, a plurality of pixels being arranged to the imaging element. The light uniformizing unit supplies the uniformized light to the imaging element to which a plurality of pixels are arranged in the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A star tracker determines a location or orientation of an object, such as a space vehicle, by observing unpolarized light from one or more stars or other relatively bright navigational marks, without imaging optics, pixelated imaging sensors or associated pixel readout electronics. An angle of incidence of the light is determined by comparing signals from two or more differently polarized optical sensors. The star tracker may be fabricated on a thin substrate. Some embodiments have vertical profiles of essentially just their optical sensors. Some embodiments include micro-baffles to limit field of view of the optical sensors.

Abstract: A positioning system comprising a mounting assembly arranged to move a positioning device via a magnetic coupling interaction between the mounting assembly and the positioning device. The positioning device is configured to limit the spread of flux away from the device.

Abstract: A monocentric lens-based multi-scale imaging system is disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention comprise a monocentric lens as an objective lens that collects light from a scene. Monocentric lenses in accordance with the present invention include a spherical central lens element and a plurality of lens shell sections that collectively reduce at least one of spherical and chromatic aberration from the magnitude introduced by the spherical lens element itself. A plurality of secondary lenses image the scene through the objective lens and further reduce the magnitude of aberrations introduced by the objective lens. A plurality of sensor arrays converts optical sub-images of the scene into a plurality of digital images, which can then be used to form a composite image of the scene.

Abstract: Systems and methods for use of optical odometry sensor systems in a mobile robot. The optical odometry sensor system is positioned within a recessed structure on an underside of the mobile robot body and configured to output optical odometry data. The optical odometry sensor system includes an optical odometry camera that includes a telecentric lens configured to capture images of a tracking surface beneath the body and having a depth of field that provides a range of viewing distances at which a tracking surface is captured in focus from a first distance within the recessed structure to a second distance below the underside of the mobile robot body.

Abstract: Described are imaging devices that employ patchworks of diffractive structures as focusing optics. Each diffractive structure best focuses light over a relatively narrow cone of incident angles, and provides suboptimal focusing for incident angles outside that cone. Different diffractive structures best focus different angular ranges, with the patchwork thus providing an overall focusable response for the relatively broad range of angles required to image a scene. Images can be captured without a lens, and cameras can be made smaller than those that are reliant on lenses and ray-optical focusing.

Abstract: An automatic astronomical observation system includes an astronomical telescope (1), a star finding servo motor (2) for driving the astronomical telescope (1), and a control system (4). A focusing servo motor (3) is connected to a lens regulation mechanism of the astronomical telescope (1); a CMOS sensor (5) used for obtaining a starry sky image is disposed on the astronomical telescope (1); the control system (4) includes a control chip, a gyroscope, a memory, and a WIFI communication interface; the control chip is electrically connected to the CMOS sensor (5), the gyroscope, the memory, and the WIFI communication interface; a handheld device provided with a WIFI communication interface is disposed by being fitted to the control system (4); and a GPS module is disposed in the control system (4) or the handheld device. Also provided is an automatic astronomical observation method.

Abstract: A star camera system that includes an optical system configured to focus radiation from a star to be imaged onto a collector. Specifically, the collector is in the form of an electron bombarded active pixel sensor (EBAPS) configured to provide high gain. The EBAPS comprising a photocathode disposed in a vacuum is configured to release electron into a vacuum when exposed to radiation focused thereon by the optical system. In addition, the EBAPS includes an active pixel sensor anode disposed distant from the photocathode in the vacuum. An electric field is generated by a voltage source to direct electrons from the photocathode to the active pixel sensor anode to thereby generate an image of the star.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosed subject matter involve an airborne-based network for implementing a laser-based visual disruption countermeasure scan pattern system, method, and computer program product. The scan pattern can be comprised of a plurality of lasers each with their own scan pattern and may be used to disrupt an optical system of a weapon or an individual. One vehicle in the network can transmit target information and/or scan information to one or more other vehicles or to a non-vehicle remote location in the network.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosed subject matter involve an airborne-based network for implementing a laser-based visual disruption countermeasure scan pattern system method, and computer program product. The scan pattern can be comprised of a plurality of lasers each with their own scan pattern and may be used to disrupt an optical system of a weapon or an individual One vehicle in the network can transmit target information and/or scan information to one or more other vehicles or to a non-vehicle remote location in the network.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosed subject matter involve an airborne-based network for implementing a laser-based visual disruption countermeasure scan pattern system, method, and computer program product. The scan pattern can be comprised of a plurality of lasers each with their own scan pattern and may be used to disrupt an optical system of a weapon or an individual. One vehicle in the network can transmit target information and/or scan information to one or more other vehicles or to a non-vehicle remote location in the network.

Abstract: A dual-mode active and passive gimbaled optical system including a mechanism for coupling an optical signal from an off-gimbal active-mode source into the on-gimbal passive-mode optical path. One example of the system includes a passive off-gimbal detector assembly configured to image emissive electromagnetic radiation from a viewed scene, and a receiver-path optical assembly, including on-gimbal objective optics, that directs the electromagnetic radiation to the off-gimbal detector assembly.

Abstract: A multiscale telescopic imaging system is disclosed. The system includes an objective lens, having a wide field of view, which forms an intermediate image of a scene at a substantially spherical image surface. A plurality of microcameras in a microcamera array relay image portions of the intermediate image onto their respective focal-plane arrays, while simultaneously correcting at least one localized aberration in their respective image portions. The microcameras in the microcamera array are arranged such that the fields of view of adjacent microcameras overlap enabling field points of the intermediate image to be relayed by multiple microcameras. The microcamera array and objective lens are arranged such that light from the scene can reach the objective lens while mitigating deleterious effects such as obscuration and vignetting.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for determining geoposition of an observer. The system includes a sensor such as a wide field of view camera or telescope that can capture an image of the sky. The image of the sky is used to compile a table or list of the stars in the sky along with their positions. This table or list is pattern-matched with a predetermined list or table of stars to identify each star. In one embodiment, the distances between all stars in the image are computed and compared to star images from an atmospheric refraction model. A comparison of the measured table or list and the refraction model, using an optimization algorithm, is performed to determine the geoposition of the observer. In an alternative embodiment, a sensor capable of measuring two different frequency bands obtains two images of each star in the sky simultaneously.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a data sampling method: sampling a physical quantity according to a sampling frequency fs?fsh, fsh=?max/? being the upper limit of the sampling frequency; and a data sampling method and system: sampling a physical quantity with a sampling frequency satisfying Nyquist theorem, firstly performing low-pass filtering on an obtained sampled sequence, and then re-sampling, the re-sampling frequency fs??max/?, where ? is the Z-domain error of a sampling system, and ?max the maximum error of an S-domain. The present invention also relates to a parameter identification method and system which firstly adopt the above data sampling method and system to obtain sampled data, and then utilize the sampled data to perform dynamic and/or static parameter identification.

Abstract: A chip scale star tracker that captures plane-wave starlight propagating in free space with a wafer-thin angle-sensitive broadband filter-aperture, and directs the light into a waveguide structure for readout. Angular information about the star source is determined from characteristics of the starlight propagating in the waveguide. Certain examples include internal propagation-constant-based baffling to elimination stray light from extreme angles.

Abstract: A method of prospecting asteroids for mining includes (a) launching at least one spacecraft, the spacecraft including a space telescope; (b) examining a plurality of asteroids using the space telescope to gather scientific data on the asteroids for characterization and cataloging; and (c) selecting one or more asteroids to mine from the plurality of asteroids examined by the space telescope and contained within the catalog. A system for prospecting asteroids for mining is also described.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for matching trajectories across disjointed video views. In a particular embodiment, a method provides identifying a first trajectory associated with an object in video captured of a first region. The method further provides identifying a plurality of alternative views of the object from the video of the first region. The method further provides generating additional views for inclusion in the plurality of alternative views by copying and horizontally flipping at least one view of the plurality of alternative views. The method further provides using the plurality of alternative views of the object, selecting a second trajectory that corresponds to the first trajectory from a plurality of trajectories associated with a plurality of objects in video captured of a second region.

Abstract: A countermeasure system for protecting a target against a threat comprising a sensing system including a first sensor(s) for detecting a threat within a wide-angle sector and producing a first directional signal indicative of a first angular zone of the threat location, and a second sensor(s) for detecting the threat within a narrow-angle sector narrower than the wide angle sector and for producing a second directional signal indicative of a relatively narrower second angular zone of the threat location; an illumination source for emitting a beam for neutralizing a threat; a controller for receiving signals from the sensors and for outputting tracking signals; a drive arrangement for moving the second sensor responsive to the first tracking signal to orient the second sensor to face towards the first zone, and beam directing means for directing the beam from the illumination source towards the second zone based on the second tracking signal.

Abstract: A chip scale star tracker that captures plane-wave starlight propagating in free space with a wafer-thin angle-sensitive broadband filter-aperture, and directs the light into a waveguide structure for readout. Angular information about the star source is determined from characteristics of the starlight propagating in the waveguide. Certain examples include internal propagation-constant-based baffling to elimination stray light from extreme angles.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for intercepting a rocket body during boost phase. A sensor is arranged to detect thermal emission in a range that is characteristic of a firing rocket body. The image detected by the sensor is applied to an analog-to-digital converter for digitization and application to a computer that includes a routine for separating the modulated photon energy of the detected image from the substantially unmodulated photon energy that characterizes rocket body emissions. The unmodulated photon energy, signature of the rocket body, may be utilized by a fire control system for tracking, targeting and aiming munitions at the firing rocket body.

Abstract: A chip scale star tracker that captures plane-wave starlight propagating in free space with a wafer-thin angle-sensitive broadband filter-aperture, and directs the light into a waveguide structure for readout. Angular information about the star source is determined from characteristics of the starlight propagating in the waveguide. Certain examples include internal propagation-constant-based baffling to elimination stray light from extreme angles.

Abstract: An optical system for use in an Earth-orbiting satellite includes a plurality of image sensors disposed on a focal plane having a reference axis orthogonal thereto, optics configured to focus incident light onto the image sensors, a piezoelectric actuator coupled to the image sensors and configured to translate the image sensors in at least two axes each orthogonal to the reference axis, and at least one controller operably coupled to the plurality of image sensors and the piezoelectric actuator. The image sensors are configured to generate at least one image frame from light detected by the plurality of image sensors, the image frame including a target star and at least one guide star. The controller is configured to stabilize the position of the target star by adjusting the position of the piezoelectric actuator based on the changes in the position of the guide star.

Abstract: A digital SAL receiver implements a multiobject tracking method to detect EM pulses transmitted by a known source at a pulse repetition interval (PRI) and returned off of a target object to acquire multiple tracks. Intra and inter track temporal information is used to associate pulses with different tracks and to rank the tracks in order to designate a primary track for the target object.

Abstract: A method of making a device comprising one or more quadrant detectors (and such a detector) comprising fabricating a two-dimensional array of photodiodes and placing one or more photodiodes around the perimeter of the array.