Bae Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.

Aaron W Bennett

Brant M Kaylor

Daniel J Creeden

Jeffrey L Jew

Scott D Setzler

Hermanus Stephanus Pretorius

Murray R Collette

Ryan Bruce Zielinski

A system and method for a bistatic coherent LIDAR system with lasers locked to a reference. Utilizing atomic absorption lines to lock the frequency for the bistatic system provides an absolute reference, as each of the lasers in the bistatic system would have the same frequency to within the linewidth of the frequency reference. Each laser may also be additionally locked to an optical cavity for increased frequency stability. Not only does such a system provide essentially an infinite aperture, it also reduces laser power requirements because the detector platforms could be much closer to the target than the platform that contains the laser.

Multi-static and bistatic coherent LIDAR with lasers locked to a reference

A phase controller for rapid, accurate, stable phase shifting of a continuous wave (cw) laser output combines and adjusts reference paths from before and after an EOPM to obtain maximum constructive interference when the EOPM control voltage is zero. A control voltage V for maximum destructive interference is then determined and regulated to produce and maintain a 180 degree phase shift. The output phase can then be shifted by switching the control voltage to the output of a voltage shifter that shifts V by a specified percentage. The phase shifter can divide the control voltage in half to provide a 90 degree phase shift. The cw laser can function as a seed to a pulsed laser, thereby controlling the pulse phases. Quadrature phase laser pulse pairs can be used for quadrature LiDAR detection. Embodiments include a plurality of voltage shifters for 4-phase quadrature shifting and/or shifting between arbitrary phase values.

Apparatus and method for producing rapid and accurate laser phase shifts

The system and method for secure optical communication, laser communication, and target designation. The system locks lasers at an absolute frequency reference and uses frequency tuning, frequency hopping, and frequency encoding techniques for optical communications. The system encodes information in the frequency context. An optional notch filter is used on a receiver to reduce 'blinding' or saturation by adversaries. The system hops frequencies around an atomic reference. In some cases the system uses a frequency comb and a comb line of the second.

Secure optical communication and target designation using frequency tuning, hopping , and encoding

The system and method for frequency encoded beacons for use in covert dismount identification, friend or foe and communications. Waveforms are capped at thresholds below human and conventional night vision detection. Waveforms are further modulated to identify dismounts as well as other information such as day and time, rank, health status, and the like. The beacons may operate at different wavelengths depending on whether they are used on ground, in air, or at sea.

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Merrimack, NH, United States of America

Aaron W Bennett