The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 20, 2024
Filed:
Apr. 21, 2022
SA Photonics, Inc., Los Gatos, CA (US);
Greg G. Mitchell, Elk Grove, CA (US);
William C. Dickson, Grandville, OH (US);
SA PHOTONICS, INC., Los Gatos, CA (US);
Abstract
A free-space optical (FSO) terminal may include a controller and an alignment sensor. The alignment sensor includes a set of detectors. Each detector generates a signal responsive to receiving electromagnetic radiation at a detection surface. The set of detectors includes an inner set of detectors and an outer set of detectors. The detection surfaces of the inner detectors and the outer detectors may be aligned in a plane. The outer set of detectors surround the inner set of detectors (e.g., in the plane) and have larger detection surfaces than the inner set of detectors. During a tracking mode, the controller is configured to adjust an orientation of the FSO terminal based on signals from the inner set of detectors. During an acquisition mode, the controller is configured to adjust the orientation of the FSO terminal based on signals from the outer set of detectors.