US Government As Represented by the Secretary of the Army

Lockheed Martin Coherent Technologies, Inc.

Arete Associates

Brian C Redman

John E Nettleton

Dallas N Barr

Barry Lee Stann

William Charles Ruff

Philip Gatt

John Glennon

Piotr Konrad Kondratko

Paul H Shen

Andrew James Griffis

Clifton S Fox

Gregory J Fetzer

Jonathan S Lei

Paul J Suni

Paul J M Suni

Asher Gelbart

James D Habersat

Michael M Quarles

David Sitter

Keith M Aliberti

A reconfigurable photonic integrated circuit focal plane array (RPIC-FPA) includes detectors and photonic integrated circuit coupled to the detectors that are configured to mix a return signal beam with local oscillator (LO) beams to produce a combined beam and direct the combined beam to the detectors. The LO beams have reconfigurable optical properties enabled by the RTIC-FPA. The LO beams are individually addressed to switch the detectors between a direct detection mode and various coherent detection modes based on adjustments to the optical properties of the LO beams. In the coherent detection mode, the controller is configured to mix the return signal beam with the LO beam having adjusted optical properties to produce the combined beam, and, in the direct detection mode, the controller is configured to disable the LO beams based on adjustments to the optical properties and to direct the return signal beam to the detectors without mixing.

Reconfigurable photonic integrated circuit focal plane array

A reconfigurable photonic integrated circuit focal plane array (RPIC-FPA) includes detectors and photonic integrated circuit coupled to the detectors that are configured to mix a return signal beam with local oscillator (LO) beams to produce a combined beam and direct the combined beam to the detectors. The LO beams have reconfigurable optical properties enabled by the RPIC-FPA. The LO beams are individually addressed to switch the detectors between a direct detection mode and various coherent detection modes based on adjustments to the optical properties of the LO beams. In the coherent detection mode, the controller is configured to mix the return signal beam with the LO beam having adjusted optical properties to produce the combined beam, and, in the direct detection mode, the controller is configured to disable the LO beams based on adjustments to the optical properties and to direct the return signal beam to the detectors without mixing.

A lidar pulse is time resolved in ways that avoid costly, fragile, bulky, high-voltage vacuum devices&#x2014;and also costly, awkward optical remappers or pushbroom layouts&#x2014;to provide preferably 3D volumetric imaging from a single pulse, or full-3D volumetric movies. Delay lines or programmed circuits generate time-resolution sweep signals, ideally digital. Preferably, discrete 2D photodiode and transimpedance-amplifier arrays replace a continuous 1D streak-tube cathode. For each pixel a memory-element array forms range bins. An intermediate optical buffer with low, well-controlled capacitance avoids corruption of input signal by these memories.

Compact economical lidar system

Ladar systems and methods are provided. One embodiment is a ladar system comprising: a chirp generator for generating a chirped waveform; a laser for transmitting a light signal toward a target, the light signal being modulated by the chirped waveform; and a photon-counting sensor for receiving a temporally-modulated photon stream corresponding to the modulated light signal being reflected from the target and toward the ladar system, the photon-counting sensor gated relative to the chirped waveform.

Photon counting, chirped AM LADAR system and related methods

Ladar systems are provided. An exemplary ladar system includes a waveform generator for generating an arbitrary waveform, a laser for transmitting a modulated light signal toward a target, and a Doppler tracking loop for tracking the Doppler frequency shift between the transmitted light signal and a received reflected light signal.

Systems for doppler tracking using photonic mixing detectors

A system and method for performing high-resolution imagery of a target are provided. One embodiment is a method of performing high-resolution imagery of a target comprising: generating a chirped waveform that modulates a light signal transmitted toward a target for performing active LADAR of the target; generating a low-frequency local oscillator waveform for performing active imaging; and simultaneously performing passive imaging and active LADAR.

Systems and methods for performing active LADAR and passive high resolution imagery

A system, called the Laser Aim Scoring System, and method for automatically scoring gunner training sessions for simulated laser-guided missile, target engagements using the laser designator without the need for training or tactical rounds are disclosed. In the disclosed invention, a pop-up target and its surrounds are separately monitored for radiations at the laser designator frequency. 'Hit' or 'Miss' scoring is based on detection of the laser radiation at the laser designator frequency illuminating the appropriate region around or on the target at the appropriate time with respect to a simulated missile launch signal at the start of the training engagement, in accordance with the engagement profile programmed into the scoring computer prior to the start of training. The laser aim scoring system send a signal to lower the pop-up target in response to a &#x201c;Hit&#x201d; score, and if desired by the user, also sends a signal to initiate smoke and flash signals from a Hoffman Kill Simulator interfaced with the system. The disclosed invention also sends the appropriate signals at the end of the engagement to reset the target in the upright position so that it is ready for the next engagement. The disclosed invention includes subsystems for transmitting data, video imagery, and control signals between the portion of the system at the target location and the portion of the system at the control tower.

Laser aim scoring system

An optical scheme and system involving a probe laser with simple analog pessing to detect an optical echo. This allows verification that a transmitter has hit a target receiver or will allow synchronized firing with another laser transmitter.

Optical signal enhancement system

The heterodyne detection efficiency of coherent laser radars is maximized coaxially aligning the local oscillator (LO) beam and the received laser beam when combined at the detector by preventing interference between the counterpropagating waves in the lasing rod within the lasing cavity by using optic polarization, magneto-optic polarization, and cavity end partial reflectors.

Magneto-optical arrangement for laser radar

A laser interrogator system and technique establishes low-observable idenication friend or foe (IFF) between two distinct positions. An interrogating laser transmits a laser pulse from a first position to a passive retroreflector fiber optic bundle located at a second position. The bundle retransmits a delayed laser retroreflector pulse. A receiver and processor at the first position processes the received retroreflected delayed laser pulse to determine a presence of a predetermined delay such that an IFF determination of the second position is achievable.

Delayed laser retroreflector pulse technique and system

Lightweight low power IR locater for reflection enhanced targets with .apeq.20 microsecond pulsed IR diode laser and 26 40 microsecond synchronized range-gated image.

Gated image intensifiers for active imaging of reflectors by day or night

A phase compensation technique and apparatus utilizes a laser transmitter, acousto-optic/electro-optic modulators and a GRIN lens array to send out and receive phase shifted laser beams. Turbulence and optical phase distortions are compensated on outgoing and received wavefronts utilizing signal processing of the detected, mixed received and local oscillator beams.

Gradient index lens phased array phase compensation technique and

A near infrared illuminator for enhancing viewing of a target viewed with infrared viewing device when the target falls within a predetermined range. A pulse generator generates a laser pulse in the near infrared with a pulse clock for control of laser brightness and a pulse frequency adjust for control of laser blink rate. The pulse is transmitted along an optical path at a specific brightness and blink rate to a target. A detector within the optical path detects a reflected infrared signal from the target and converts the signal to an electrical signal which is processed by a processor to obtain target range information. A trigger logic controls the pulse clock rate means whereby when the target range falls within a predetermined range the laser pulse rate is increased such that increased illumination of the target is viewable with an infrared viewing device.

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Alexandria, VA, United States of America

Brian C Redman