Rockwell Collins, Inc.

Gerhardt A Quast

Robert D Brown

Robert B Wood

Kurt A Stahl

Kevin E Jopes

A present novel and non-trivial system, apparatus, and method for employing a catadioptric optical system in a Head-Up Display ('HUD') system are disclosed. A catadioptric optical module is configured to produce a large image size within a small space envelope by folding the optical path back through module and separating the paths by use of a beam splitter. Such module comprised of a beam splitter, collimating mirror, and correcting lens produces collimated beams of light from an image source providing either polarized or non-polarized beams of light. If polarized beams are provided, the module includes a quarter-wave retarder, and the configuration of the module permits the image source to provide either s-polarized or p-polarized beams. A combiner arm assembly comprising of at least one combiner receives the collimated beams, where the employment of a plurality of combiners extends the relatively small instantaneous field of view.

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Portland, OR, United States of America

Gerhardt A Quast