Optical Air Data Systems, LLC

Other

Catch the Wind, Inc.

Bluescout Technologies, Inc.

Rd2, LLC

Philip L Rogers

Priyavadan Mamidipudi

Elizabeth A Dakin

Kerry J Vahala

Daniel C Dakin

Peter Gatchell

Rupak Changkakoti

Lance Leclair

Chia-Chen Chang

Edgar K Dede

Rupak Changkokoti

Alisa K Rogers

Christopher D Bedford

Elizabeth Dakin

Madhukiran Panabakam

Frederick C Belen, Jr

Air property measurement (e.g., air temperature, air density, etc.) sensors may take the form of an all-fiber-optic device employing Rotational Raman light detection and ranging technology. Not only do the fiber optic devices described herein require no moving parts, but also these devices may be compact in design and require less power to operate as compared to conventional apparatus. As a result, embodiments may be used in applications in which physical space and power demands may be limited, such as in aircraft.

All fiber temperature and air density sensor

A method of using LIDAR on an airborne vehicle is described. A beam of radiation is transmitted to target areas at least one of above, below, and in front of the airborne vehicle, the target areas including particles or objects. Scattered radiation is received from the target areas. Respective characteristics of the scattered radiation are determined. An air turbulence factor or characteristics are determined from the respective characteristics. The airborne vehicle is controlled based on the air turbulence factor, such that turbulence experienced by the airborne vehicle is minimized. Alternatively, the airborne vehicle is controlled based on the characteristics to avoid colliding with the one or more objects. In another example, the airborne vehicle is controlled based on the characteristics to reduce headwind or increase tailwind, and substantially reduce a carbon footprint of the aircraft.

LDV system for measuring wind at high altitude

Methods and systems for improving the accuracy of hitting a target are described. An apparatus includes a LIDAR unit, a storage device, an aim adjustment controller and an adjustment interface. The LIDAR unit is configured to measure at least one of wind profiles along a path between a shooting device and the target, and a range to the target. The storage device is configured to store ballistic information for at least one of ammunition types, shooting devices, and environmental conditions. The aim adjustment controller is configured to analyze at least one of the wind profile, the range to the target, and the ballistic information to determine a set of aiming parameters and the adjustment interface is configured to provide aiming instructions based on the set of aiming parameters, wherein the aiming instructions substantially improve the accuracy.

LDV system for improving the aim of a shooter

A method of using a light detection system for increasing the accuracy of a precision airdrop is described. Radiation is transmitted to target areas between an airborne vehicle and a dropzone target. Scattered radiation is received from the target areas. Respective wind characteristics are determined from the scattered radiation and a wind velocity map is generated, based on the respective wind characteristics, between the airborne vehicle, and at least the dropzone target. An aerial release point for the precision airdrop is computed based on the generated wind velocity map and a location of the dropzone target.

LDV for airdrops

Systems and methods for laser based measurement of air parameters for use, e.g., on aircraft are disclosed. An example system includes a coherent source of radiation, a modulator, a transceiver, an optical mixer, and a measuring system. The coherent source produces a coherent radiation beam, and the modulator is configured to modulate the coherent radiation beam. The transceiver is configured to transmit the modulated radiation beam to, and receive a scattered radiation signal from a target region. The optical mixer is configured to determine a difference between the scattered radiation signal and the reference radiation beam. The measuring system is configured to determine at least one of velocity, air density, pressure, temperature, barometric altitude, angle of attack, angle of side slip, icing and turbulence based on the difference between the scattered radiation signal and the reference radiation beam.

Optical air data system suite of sensors

Systems and methods for laser based measurement of air parameters are disclosed. An example system includes a source of radiation, an amplification system with one or more power amplification stages, a transceiver, and an optical mixer. The source produces a plurality of beams, and the amplification system is configured to amplify the beams. The transceiver is configured to transmit the modulated beam to, and receive a scattered beam from a target region. The optical mixer is configured to determine a difference between the scattered beam and a reference beam, which is used to determine a Doppler shift therefrom. In certain embodiments, the amplification system includes a fiber preamplifier and one or more fiber power amplifiers stages.

High power laser doppler velocimeter with multiple amplification stages

An all fiber optic laser based scanning system for real time terrain mapping under degraded visual conditions is disclosed. A laser output is modulated to achieve a desired pulse width and pulse repetition frequency (PRF) and the modulated signal is amplified. The amplified optical signals are split into N channels that correspond to N elements of an optically phased array that steers light by modulating the phase of light entering and exiting the optical system. By applying a linear phase shift across the beam's wave front, the light propagating along the system's optical axis is steered to an off-axis angle. A real time map of an underlying terrain is accomplished by sweeping the N channel array across the terrain while collecting range information from each scan grid.

Scanning non-scanning LIDAR

Methods and systems for using laser Doppler velocimeters to determine and use wind velocities at the locations of impending and occurring events such as sports events are presented. Laser Doppler velocimeters are used to determine wind velocities where an event is occurring or an impending event is about to occur. The determined wind velocities are used to generate and display a representation of the impending or occurring event that accounts for the effect of the determined wind velocities on the impending or occurring event.

Using remotely detected wind velocities to enhance understanding of an impending or occurring event

A high power integrated fiber laser system includes cascaded amplifiers that utilize low numerical aperture fiber amplifiers. The system is rugged and lightweight.

Very high power pulsed fiber laser

A system and method are provided to increase efficiency of turbines in wind farms. A sensor is configured to generate a wind map of an inflow of wind. A controller is configured to generate a control signal based the wind map. A pitch adjustment device configured to adjust pitch of a blade of the turbine based on the control signal.

Independent blade pitch control

A system and method uses light signals to detect and display the position of an airborne vehicle, such as a helicopter, during takeoff or landing or low speed, low altitude operation. A transmitter on the vehicle emits light signals while an optical receiver retrieves reflected light signals. Using light detection and ranging techniques, various parameters, such as altitude, ground speed and relative wind, are calculated based on the Doppler shift within the reflected light signals. The signals are transmitted in three different directions to facilitate the measurements of different Doppler shifts. The parameters are also displayed on a screen or other visual device within the vehicle.

Optical system for detecting and displaying aircraft position and environment during landing and takeoff

An optical system or assembly is formed of a plurality of optical sources () and components of different laser-based equipment systems. The sources and/or components may be combined and/or eliminated to reduce complexity, cost and/or overall weight of the system by consolidating multiple laser sources into a reduced number of sources, and by multiplexing () different wavelength signals over common carriers. A laser engagement system () and an infrared aim light () (or infrared illuminator) are powered by a single laser source which is adopted for use with conventional equipment by lengthening the duration of the coded pulses emitted by the transmitter. The transmitter may be triggered in response to the heat and/or pressure generated by the blank upon firing. A visible bore light may be eliminated by connecting infrared and/or visible aim light () directly to a rifle barrel. The laser engagement system and the infrared aim light (or infrared illuminator) are provided in a common housing assembly ().

Multi-function optical system and assembly

A laser Doppler velocimeter is formed using erbium-doped fiber as the lasing medium. The fiber is diode-pumped. By properly modulating the lasing in the fiber, pulses of radiation may be generated. A telescope acts as the transmission device to focus the radiation at a specified point, and may also act as the receiving system for reflected radiation. The portion of the reflected radiation collected by the receiving system is analyzed to determine the Doppler shift caused by aerosols or objects at the focal point of the telescope.

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Hume, VA, United States of America

Philip L Rogers