Bae Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.

Montana State University

Blackmore Sensors & Analytics, LLC

Bridger Photonics, Inc.

Brant M Kaylor

Randy Ray Reibel

Zeb William Barber

Stephen C Crouch

Aaron W Bennett

William Randall Babbitt

Peter Roos

Daniel J Creeden

Scott D Setzler

Patrick D Fitzgerald

Murray R Collette

The disclosed method enables efficient registration and correction of random vertical and horizontal offsets of a plurality of images of a feature to enable combination thereof with maximum noise suppression. The method includes obtaining image cross correlations and estimating correlation peaks. If a correlation peak cannot be uniquely determined for a given correlation, all candidates are retained. An improved robust weighted regression is applied thereto to obtain estimates of the image shifts. Dimensional symmetry is exploited to remove redundancy from the weighted normal equation, and computational requirements are further reduced by analytically determining the coefficients matrix and the inhomogeneous matrix, thereby circumventing conventional computations. Solution of the resulting consistent, full rank, linear system requires only matrix inversion. For N images, the present method thereby increases computation speed and reduces storage by approximately N.

2D image shift registration through correlation and tailored robust regression

A method for classifying an object in a point cloud includes computing first and second classification statistics for one or more points in the point cloud. Closest matches are determined between the first and second classification statistics and a respective one of a set of first and second classification statistics corresponding to a set of N classes of a respective first and second classifier, to estimate the object is in a respective first and second class. If the first class does not correspond to the second class, a closest fit is performed between the point cloud and model point clouds for only the first and second classes of a third classifier. The object is assigned to the first or second class, based on the closest fit within near real time of receiving the 3D point cloud. A device is operated based on the assigned object class.

Method and system for classification of an object in a point cloud data set

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

Laser 3D imaging techniques include splitting a laser temporally-modulated waveform of bandwidth B and duration D from a laser source into a reference beam and a target beam and directing the target beam onto a target. First data is collected, which indicates amplitude and phase of light relative to the reference beam received at each of a plurality of different times during a duration D at each optical detector of an array of one or more optical detectors perpendicular to the target beam. Steps are repeated for multiple sampling conditions, and the first data for the multiple sampling conditions are synthesized to form one or more synthesized sets. A 3D Fourier transform of each synthesized set forms a digital model of the target for each synthesized set with a down-range resolution based on the bandwidth B.

Method and system for three dimensional digital holographic aperture synthesis

A method and apparatus are described including a laser with a plurality of internal or external actuators for affecting an optical frequency of light output by the laser, wherein the plurality of actuators have a corresponding plurality of different frequency response bands for changing optical properties of the laser and a corresponding plurality of actuation ranges of optical frequencies affected. Also included is an optical detector, and a plurality of optical paths configured to direct light output by the laser onto the detector. A laser controller is configured to provide a plurality of inputs to the plurality of actuators based on a detector signal output from the optical detector and the corresponding frequency response bands and actuation ranges.

Precise broadband frequency modulated laser

A method, apparatus and computer-readable storage medium are described for a tunable laser source that produces a desired frequency modulated optical waveform with a precision within 0.01 percent over a bandwidth greater than about 50 gigaHertz. An apparatus includes a tunable laser having one or more drive inputs for affecting an optical frequency of light output by the laser; and an optical detector. Multiple optical paths are configured to direct light output by the laser onto the optical detector. A laser controller is configured to provide to a drive input a loopback signal based on a measured or predetermined difference in optical dispersion among the plurality of optical paths and a detector signal output from the optical detector. In some embodiments, a ranging device includes the tunable laser source.

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Merrimack, NH, United States of America

Brant M Kaylor