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:
Nov. 03, 2009
Filed:
Sep. 12, 2005
Charles H. Chalfant, Iii, Fayetteville, AR (US);
Fred J. Orlando, West Melbourne, FL (US);
Jeffrey T. Gregory, Mountainburg, AR (US);
Chad B. O'neal, Ruston, LA (US);
Terry L. Tidwell, Fayetteville, AR (US);
Charles H. Chalfant, III, Fayetteville, AR (US);
Fred J. Orlando, West Melbourne, FL (US);
Jeffrey T. Gregory, Mountainburg, AR (US);
Chad B. O'Neal, Ruston, LA (US);
Terry L. Tidwell, Fayetteville, AR (US);
Space Photonics, Inc., Fayetteville, AR (US);
Abstract
A targeting and tracking apparatus and method for optical transceivers is disclosed. The tracking function is performed internally by way of translating an internal optical fiber in the focal plane of the transceiver telescope using miniature motorized translation systems and/or micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). The optical design of the transceiver provides a wide field of view and a pointing and tracking field of regard that is directly proportional to the translation of the optical fiber in the focal plane of the telescope. The apparatus and method can eliminate the need for external gimballing systems and scanning mirrors, and replace the gimballed optical beam steering function with motorized translation systems and/or MEMS that consumes very little power.