United States of America As Represented by the Secretary of the Air Force

Morton B Jenks

Richard A Carreras

Mark G Baciak

Salvatore J Cusumano

Elinor L Coates

Robert I Suizu

In an optically phased array of multiple laser telescopes, the phasing between the telescopes is accomplished by sampling adjacent outgoing wavefronts. The two samples of each wavefront are then combined to form an interference pattern on a camera. This image is then converted to digital signals, employing an error signal representative of the phase difference. It is necessary that the telescopes be pointing in the same direction. This is assured by having each telescope associated with an optical sensor which produces an X or Y tilt error. The X or Y tilt error is corrected by the optical component referred to as the optical path difference adjustor (OPDA). A signal processing circuit is disclosed which receives X and Y tilt error signals, as well as phase error signals, and produces therefrom drive signals which correct and drive the OPDA in an array of multiple laser telescopes.

Axis separator electronic translator

A plurality of telescopes provide output return signals which are applied both directly and in sampled form to a photo-detector cell. The detected signals from the photo-detector will represent the constant and transient errors of the telescope system. A low pass filter insures that the tracker provides only the constant or D.C. component of the error, while a high pass filter insures that the existing measuring devices for each telescope beam provide only the transient or A.C. component of the error. The A.C. and D.C. error signals are summed together with the appropriate applied gains on each channel such that the sum reconstructs the original telescope position error with good fidelity.

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Corrales, NM, United States of America

Morton B Jenks