Other

Sperry Corporation

Sperry Rand Corporation

Patrick E. Crane

Patrick E Crane

Ronnie C Lau

E Calvin Johnson

Robert E Lazarchik

Paul M Schwartz

James C Chu

Arthur H Schaufelberger, Deceased

Robert A Wright

Jack V D'Agostino

Special mathematical techniques are used to process accurate energy measurements in the focal plane of a high quality imaging system to produce high resolution images. The improved resolution exceeds the generally accepted Rayleigh limits. That is accomplished by adapting Fourier transform techniques and using both in-phase and quadrature or amplitude and phase components to recover the target scene. The measurement of the in-phase and quadrature or amplitude and phase components are taken in the focal plane and undergo parallel processing to preserve both amplitude and phase in the resulting image. A Fourier transform of the aperture characteristics is removed from a Fourier transform of the energy components to result in a Fourier transform of the image. The scene is recovered by taking an inverse Fourier transform of the result.

RF image reconstruction and super resolution using fourier transform

Diffraction patterns in a focal region are governed by immersing the focal region in dielectric medium having an index of refraction higher than one. The pattern of the focal region is made small by causing the focal region to be immersed in a body having an index of refraction greater than 1. The resulting diffraction pattern sensed appropriately in the focal region is independent of traditional aperture limitations in resolving power. Microwave pictures are taken at the same resolution as optical pictures using the same aperture size when an appropriate dielectric immersion material is provided.

Super-resolution by focal plane immersion

A tight packed array of amplitude controlled in-phase light emitters produces dynamic real holographic images. A partially reflecting mirror is applied to a planar array of amplitude controlled laser diode emitters which are stimulated by each other. The emitters are forced into phase with each other by partially reflecting light energy from adjacent row and column elements onto each other. Incident energy stimulates the element receiving the energy to fire in phase with the incident energy. The array may be forced in phase by directly illumination from a master laser. A single laser is used to illuminate a flat surface containing an array of transmissive apertures which act as emitters. Amplitudes are controlled by liquid crystals. Light from the emitters forms an image which changes according to amplitudes of the individual emitters. Optical focal plane reducers reduce the effective inter element spacing.

Holographic synthesis

Stackable waveguides provide for spaced superposition of multiple two-dimensional planar arrays while closely packing pixels in an array. Multiple ports of each waveguide accommodate a collimated beam input. The beam is reflectively split to allow control or detection by strategically placed two-dimensional arrays of control or sensing elements. These elements may be any number of different kinds of control devices or, if used to receive, detectors. One embodiment of the present invention has six port modules horizontally and vertically stacked with other six port modules. The devices can be stacked in such a way that the chip carriers can be caused not to interfere with each other. Circuits and two-dimensional arrays are spaced within the stacks while the outputs are tightly packed. Multiple port module configurations are horizontally and vertically stacked to produce a tightly packed array of programmable pixels.

Superposition of two-dimensional arrays

An antenna adapted for millimeter wave applications has a dielectric lens with metalized reflective surfaces and uncoated refractive surfaces. A subreflector and polarization grating are provided on the central portion of a refractive surface.

Optical collimator

Two distinctly polarized monopulse signals are orthogonally superimposed using antennas spaced in pairs which are transversely aligned. Signals from the pairs are separately summed and differentiated. Signals from both pairs are summed in one system. A transmitter supplies pulses directly to one pair and through a 90.degree. phase shifter to the other pair.

Dual polarized monopulse orthogonal superposition

In an electronically scanned phased array capable of operating at millimeter wavelength frequencies, phase control is implemented through the superposition of orthogonal phase functions via a distributed mixing process at IF frequencies. When the elements of the array are replaced by mixers, and the distribution network operated at LO and IF frequencies, the number of phase shifters required is reduced from M.times.N to M+N and lower frequency technology is used.

Phased array scanning system

A broad band millimeter wave finline antenna includes a finline transmission means having a flared end portion formed by tapering the adjacent edges of the finline elements and affixing planar sectoral conducting members to the tapered edges. The finline transmission means may be mounted in a housing that provides a transition for coupling the antenna to exterior waveguides or other transmission means.

Antenna

The multiple beam, short wave planar antenna array system, which simultaneously exhibits low loss, low side lobe levels, high efficiency, and low volume in a design affording independent control of the E and H plane radiation pattern shapes is particularly applicable in microwave radiometric systems such as airborne mapping systems. The antenna system generates symmetrical, matching narrow pencil beam sensitivity patterns by using symmetrically spaced sectorial receiver horns fed energy through a hyperbolic dielectric lens, the horn array and lens residing in a TE.sub.01 mode parallel plate guide, the lens being illuminated by signals collected by a broad wall slotted wave guide array supplied with a thin, planar sheet radome mounted on the energy receiving face of the array.

Growing community of inventors

Tampa, FL, United States of America

Patrick E Crane