Loral Corporation

Loral Defense Systems

John T Brooker

Charles L Gray

E Reeves Salby, Ii

Dale E Bardin

A method and apparatus for obtaining absolute static measurement values of a physical influence includes a processor which controls the operation of a laser that generates an interferometer input signal which is submitted to an optical interferometer. The interferometer includes a coupler/splitter that splits the interferometer input signal into a reference arm and a sensing arm both of which are coupled to an appropriate physical influence. The sensing arm and the reference arm detect the status of the physical influence, whereupon the coupler/splitter generates an interferometer output signal received by the processor. The processor then correlates this interferometer output signal to an absolute static measurement value of the physical influence. A splitter is also employed to segment a portion of the interferometer input signal and employ this portion to correct the interferometer input signal and the interferometer output signal as determined by the processor. The interferometer may employ a cancellation technique to remove the inclusion of undesirable physical influences during the measurement of the desired physical influence.

Interferometric fiber optic method and apparatus for obtaining absolute

A scanner for implementation with ladar, and visual band passive IR systems. An optic fiber is positioned such that one end thereof is maintained at the focal point of a lens system. A permanent magnetic is attached to the optic fiber near that end, with the permanent magnet being positioned within a space subjected to varying magnetic fields induced by pairs of orthogonally positioned electromagnets. The end of the optic fiber scans the image of the lens, with the scanning pattern being controlled by the varying magnetic fields induced by the electromagnetic pairs. Another end of the optic fiber is connected through a coupler to an infrared/optic detector and a laser diode. The coupler allows for duplexing of light energy from the laser diode to the lens and for the receiving of light energy from the lens to the detector.

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Mogadore, OH, United States of America

John T Brooker