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.

Date of Patent:
Jan. 10, 2017

Filed:

Mar. 10, 2015
Applicant:

The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);

Inventors:

Richard B. Holmes, Cameron Park, CA (US);

David R. Gerwe, West Hills, CA (US);

Paul S. Idell, Thousands Oaks, CA (US);

Assignee:

The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01J 1/20 (2006.01); G01S 7/491 (2006.01); G01S 7/495 (2006.01); G01S 17/66 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G01S 7/4911 (2013.01); G01S 7/495 (2013.01); G01S 17/66 (2013.01);
Abstract

Systems and methods that combine forward-model image reconstruction techniques with tomographic estimation of three-dimensional atmospheric turbulence to enable high-quality anisoplanatic imaging and beam control through the atmosphere over an extended field of view using a phased laser array. The system projects laser energy onto specific locations of extended objects in various geometries, overcomes atmospheric anisoplanatism and backscatter; estimates phase across the full aperture, and reconstructs the target object in great detail to enable high-resolution aimpoint selection and maintenance. Aimpoint maintenance is performed by sequentially analyzing a passive image and a laser spot in rapid succession, in each subaperture at high signal-to-noise ratio. As a further improvement, backscatter issues from the projected laser beam are eliminated by cycling the laser and/or sequentially lasing on different wavelengths within the laser gain bandwidth.


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