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:
Aug. 13, 2013
Filed:
Aug. 18, 2009
Michael C. Cates, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Joseph Nolan Paranto, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Ty Aaby Larsen, Everett, WA (US);
Michael C. Cates, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Joseph Nolan Paranto, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Ty Aaby Larsen, Everett, WA (US);
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
A multifunction light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system for aircraft or other applications may use autodyne techniques. An autodyne system can use a single laser source and a single detector. The autodyne technique can mix two signal beams to produce a 'beat note' at the frequency difference between the beams. Autodyne detection can leverage photon counting to support significantly reduced system complexity. Reduced complexity may provide solutions with significantly reduced power consumption, lighter weight, smaller volume, and lower cost. The multifunction LIDAR system can detect and identify regions of weather hazards such as lightning storms, aircraft wake vortex, clear air turbulence, and wind shear. The multifunction LIDAR system may also be configured to measure aircraft air and ground speed in multiple dimensions as well as aircraft altitude.