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:
Oct. 20, 1992
Filed:
Jun. 18, 1990
Allen R Geiger, Las Cruces, NM (US);
Lasen, Inc., Las Cruces, NM (US);
Abstract
A DIAL LIDAR system, and methods of operating same are disclosed. A plurality, such as six, distinct coherent beams are combined into a single transmitted beam. Atmospheric targets such as light hydrocarbons cause a portion of the transmitted beam to be reflected as a return. In one transmitting configuration, six pulsed beams are fully time-multiplexed, and are combined through selective polarization. In another transmitting configuration, six pulsed beams are fully time-multiplexed, and are combined through selective orientation of beam paths, in connection with a rotating beam displacer. In yet another transmitting configuration, six beams are wavelength-multiplexed, and are combined through differential refraction. In one receiving configuration, time-multiplexed beams are received using a single detector. In another receiving configuration, wavelength-multiplexed beams are received using multiple detectors. In a coherent LIDAR configuration, the outputs of a plurality of coherent sources are modulated, and combined according to any of the aforementioned transmitting configurations. A portion of the source outputs is directed to a receiver section of the system, where it is used to demodulate the LIDAR return.