Lockheed Martin Corporation

Other

Lockhead Martin Corp.

Oyla, Inc.

Ralph Spickermann

Srinath Kalluri

Daniel A Tauber

Steven R Sakamoto

David A Smith

John Schooley Camp

Raghavendra Singh

Julius Lange

Thomas C Fall

Dragos Maciuca

Siddharth Jain

Steve N Persall

A device and method of object detection in a scene by combining traditional 2D visual light imaging such as pixels with 3D data such as a voxel map are described. A single lens directs image light from the scene to a dichroic mirror which then provides light to a both a 2D visible light image sensor and a 3D sensor, such as a time-of-flight sensor that uses a transmitted, modulated IR light beam, which is then synchronously demodulated to determine time of flight as well as 2D coordinates. 2D portions (non-distance) of 3D voxel image data are aligned with the 2D pixel image data such that each is responsive to the same portion of the scene. Embodiments determine true reflectivity, true scale, and image occlusion. 2D images may be enhanced by the 3D true reflectivity. Combined data may be used as training data for object detection and recognition.

Device and method of object detection

An optical device creates 3D images comprising a field of points, each point comprising horizontal, vertical, and distance metrics. The device comprises an illumination subsystem, comprising light sources, such as LEDs, a non-resonant beam steering element such as a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMs) mirror, beam-shaping optics, a beam director plate, and a diffuser. The device also comprises an imaging subsystem with one or more optical detector chips that measure time-of-flight (TOF). Devices may dynamically and sequentially images solid-angle sub-regions of interest, in an arbitrary order, out of a total FOV, using eye-safe illumination. The corresponding received image portions are stitched together. The beam steering element is non-resonant, allowing arbitrary and rapid changes to its pointing vector. Beam shaping optics generates rectangular solid-angle illumination. One detector chip integrates light from one sub-region while another chip is reads out image data.

Device and method of optical range imaging

Embodiments relate to an immersive viewer system and viewer housing. The system comprises a viewer housing having first and second viewing apertures and a device holder. The system includes a first set of Fresnel lenses in-line with the first viewing aperture and a second set of Fresnel lenses in-line with the second viewing aperture. The system may include a computing device having a generally rectangular profile with a narrow depth configured to be supported in the device holder such that a display screen of the computing device is directly viewable through the first and second viewing apertures. The first set and second set of Fresnel lenses bend a two-dimensional (2D) image displayed by the display screen to fully cover 180 degrees of a human field-of-view. The first and second sets of Fresnel lenses are configured to cause the 2D image to appear as a three-dimensional (3D) image.

Three-dimensional (3D) immersive viewer system

Aspects of the disclosure provide an apparatus. The apparatus includes a mirror module having a plurality of individually controllable mirror segments to reflect an incident beam having a variable incidence angle, and a controller configured to determine deflection profiles of the individually controllable mirror segments, and provide control signals to the individually-controllable mirror segments to adjust the deflection profiles, such that the individually controllable mirror segments collectively reflect the incident beam in a predetermined direction.

Method and apparatus for beam steering

An underwater load-carrier is disclosed that includes an underwater-balloon detachably attached to a container that is loaded with ballast. The underwater load-carrier is lowered into the water of an ocean and allowed to descend to the ocean bottom and there connected a mining-vehicle. The mining-vehicle loads mined nodules into the container while the container ejects ballast to maintain the container at a specified altitude above the ocean bottom. When nodule loading is complete, nodules and/or ballast is ejected to allow underwater load-carrier to rise to the ocean surface where mined nodules is unloaded from the container.

Underwater load-carrier

Optical apparatus that uses optically-actuated optical switches in conjunction with an optical codeword addressing scheme to provide for time division multiplexing and demultiplexing of high data rate optical data. Optical codewords traveling simultaneously with the data on a separate wavelength, in conjunction with the optical switches, enable all-optical multiplexing and demultiplexing. The present invention can also switch packets of data while keeping the data entirely in the optical domain, and no optical to electrical conversions are necessary.

All optical time division multiplexer and packet switch using optical codewords and optically actuated optical switches

A transmitter comprising a programmable optical vector modulator and method for coherent optical signal communication. The transmitter includes a transmitter laser whose output is coupled by way of an optical fiber to an amplitude modulator. The output of the amplitude modulator is coupled by way of a length of optical fiber to a phase modulator. The phase modulator generates a modulated light output from the transmitter. Amplitude modulation is achieved by inputting data and a data clock signal to amplitude symbol mapping logic whose outputs are selectively weighted, summed, amplified and input to the amplitude modulator to amplitude modulate the output of the transmitter laser. Phase modulation is achieved by inputting the modulating data and the data clock signal to phase angle symbol mapping logic whose outputs are selectively weighted, summed, amplified, delayed to synchronize with the arrival of the light from the amplitude modulator, and input to the phase modulator to phase modulate the amplitude modulated output of the transmitter laser. The programmability of the vector modulator allows the transmission of an M-ary modulation format that maximizes the data transmission for a given optical dynamic range and bit error rate target. Also, the programmability allows for rapid change in modulation format to maximize data transmission for changes in optical dynamic range and bit error rate target. The M-ary constellation may be predistorted to compensate for equipment piece part variation and fiber nonlinear effects; in particular the effect commonly known as 'self-phase modulation'.

Programmable optical vector modulator and method for use in coherent optical communications

An all-optical, asynchronous binary storage cell implemented by optically induced total internal reflection cross-junction waveguide switches. The term 'all-optical' refers to directing of optical data signals as a result of optical control signal inputs without the need for conversion between optical and electrical domains. The binary cell is a building block for a programmable all-optical random access memory (AORAM) device. The AORAM device enables circuits and networks that require optical buffers.

Optical memory and logic using cross-switches

Optical apparatus and optical switching methods that provide optical high data rate switching at a wavelength or packet level using optical tone addressing. Optical signal routing is a result of optically induced total internal reflection at the intersection of an X-junction waveguide structure. The total internal reflection effect is controlled by a high intensity optical pump beam separate from the optical data signal. Total internal reflection may result from a free-carrier induced change in refractive index, which is a nonlinear effect found in common III-V semiconductors and selected polymers. Optical switching networks may be formed using cascaded pluralities of optical waveguide switches.

Optically induced total internal reflection X-junction waveguide optical switch, network and optical switching method

Systems and methods that increase the data transmission rate through a given length of optical fiber, or increase the distortion-limited distance for an optical fiber link at a given data rate using band efficient modulation. This is achieved by modulating data for transmission onto a carrier signal. The modulated signal is predistorted and an optical carrier is amplitude modulated using the predistorted signal. The amplitude modulated optical carrier is transmitted over the optical fiber link. The original modulated microwave signal is reproduced at a receiver. The original signal is demodulated to generate the originally transmitted data. In addition, to reduce the bandwidth required by the modulated carrier, it may be single-sideband modulated. By increasing the number of bits per symbol and keeping the symbol rate constant, the data rate for a given length of optical fiber may be increased using the present invention without introducing additional distortion in the fiber.

Bandwidth efficient phase shift keyed modulation over nonlinear distortion limited optical fiber links

Systems and methods that increase the maximum data rate capacity per optical carrier on an optical link. The present invention intensity modulates an optical carrier with one or more (microwave) carriers that have been higher order modulated (M-ary ASK, PSK, QAM, and the like) using bandwidth efficient modulation. Consequently, as the number of bits/symbol is increased, the bit rate increases without an increase in occupied bandwidth. Thus, 2 bit/Hz or more of optical channel bandwidth may be transmitted.

Use of higher order modulation techniques to transmit large aggregate data rates on an optical link with relatively low speed electronics

Systems and methods that improve data transmission over a wavelength division multiplexed optical link. First and second wavelength division multiplexed modulators modulate data for transmission onto a microwave carrier signal to produce first and second carrier signals having a first carrier frequency. A downconverter downconverts the first carrier signal to a lower carrier frequency. A combiner combines the downconverted and second carrier signals to provide a composite microwave signal. A wavelength division multiplexed transmitter transmits the composite microwave signal on a wavelength division multiplexed channel over an optical fiber. A wavelength division multiplexed receiver reproduces the composite microwave signal transmitted over the optical fiber. A splitter and filters separate out the downconverted and second carrier signals from the composite microwave signal. An upconverter upconverts the downconverted carrier signal from the lower carrier frequency to the first carrier frequency. Demodulators demodulates the upconverted and second carrier signals to generate the originally transmitted data. The systems and methods use higher order modulated microwave carriers (M-ary ASK, PSK, QAM, etc.) to intensity modulate the optical carrier. As a result, more than 1 bit/Hz of optical channel can be transmitted.

Use of bandwidth efficient modulation techniques in a wavelength division multiplexed optical link

Systems and methods employing higher order modulation techniques to transmit information on passbands of a dispersion-limited fiber optic communication link. The present invention transmits data on previously unused passbands of the dispersion-limited optic link, thus increasing the total capacity of the link. Higher order modulated carrier frequencies (M-ary ASK, PSK, QAM, etc.) centered within the higher passbands are transmitted using the present invention. Thus, the present invention combines a multiplicity of encoded carriers into a composite microwave spectrum that is tailored to the passbands of the optical link.

Growing community of inventors

Redwood City, CA, United States of America

Ralph Spickermann