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:
Apr. 05, 2011
Filed:
Jan. 05, 2007
Gregory J. Whaley, Woodbury, MN (US);
Rick C. Stevens, Apple Valley, MN (US);
Aaron M. Cordes, Bloomington, MN (US);
Gregory J. Whaley, Woodbury, MN (US);
Rick C. Stevens, Apple Valley, MN (US);
Aaron M. Cordes, Bloomington, MN (US);
Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, MD (US);
Abstract
Free space optical communication systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided. A system embodiment includes a photodetector for receiving a beacon signal transmitted from a ground communication apparatus, a light source for emitting a light beam toward a source of the beacon signal, where the light beam includes a signal to be transmitted, and a high speed tracking actuator coupled to the light source for moving the light source to maintain the light beam in a direction toward the source of the beacon signal transmitted from the ground communication apparatus.