Abstract:
Disclosed herein are various embodiment of an adaptive ladar receiver and associated method whereby the active pixels in a photodetector array used for reception of ladar pulse returns can be adaptively controlled based at least in part on where the ladar pulses were targeted. Additional embodiments disclose improved imaging optics for use by the receiver and further adaptive control techniques for selecting which pixels of the photodetector array are used for sensing incident light.
Abstract:
A dual-mode active and passive gimbaled optical system including a mechanism for coupling an optical signal from an off-gimbal active-mode source into the on-gimbal passive-mode optical path. One example of the system includes a passive off-gimbal detector assembly configured to image emissive electromagnetic radiation from a viewed scene, and a receiver-path optical assembly, including on-gimbal objective optics, that directs the electromagnetic radiation to the off-gimbal detector assembly. The system further includes an off-gimbal active source that generates an optical signal, a gimbal bearing assembly that supports rotation of the gimbal and includes a centrally-located output ferrule mated to an optical fiber that transports the optical signal from the active source to the output ferrule, and an on-gimbal optical coupling element that receives the optical signal from the output ferrule and couples the optical signal into the receiver optical path to direct the optical signal toward the on-gimbal objective optics.
Abstract:
An illumination assembly includes a laser for producing a laser beam of light and an optical fiber disposed adjacent the laser and extending between a beam receiving end for receiving the laser beam of light from the laser and a beam emitting end for emitting the laser beam of light therefrom, A beam splitter splits the laser beam into a target beam and a feedback beam and directs the target beam toward the targeted object. A feedback sensor receives the feedback beam and generates a feedback signal to identify a targeted image portion correlated to the targeted object. A motor is operatively connected to the vehicle with the beam emitting end fixedly secured thereto. A controller receives the feedback signal generated by the feedback sensor and generates a control signal transmittable to the motor to position the beam emitting end of the optical fiber such that the target beam continues to be directed toward the targeted object.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for light detecting and range sensing. In one approach, a light detecting and ranging (LiDAR) sensor uses an optical directing device; a multi-clad optical fiber, a light source, and a detector. The light source is optically coupled to the multi-clad optical fiber which is configured to receive optical rays transmitted from the light source and route the rays on an optical path leading to the optical directing device. The optical directing device is configured both to direct the transmitted optical rays routed through the multi-clad fiber towards a target to be sensed and direct optical rays reflected from the target on an optical path leading to the multi-clad optical fiber. The multi-clad optical fiber is configured to receive the reflected optical rays and route the reflected optical rays on an optical path leading to the detector. The detector is configured to detect the reflected optical rays.
Abstract:
A multi-beam LIDAR optical system, that in one example includes a plurality of single mode optical fibers configured to transmit and receive light beams, and a plurality of lenses configured to collimate and focus the light beams between the plurality of single mode optical fibers and an entrance pupil of the system, wherein the system is configured to transmit and receive the light beams over an angular field of view of at least 5°.
Abstract:
A vehicle, provided with: -at least an optical passage (1) situated at a vehicle exterior for passing on optical signals (S1, S2); -a number of elongate optical signal guides (2), extending between said passage (1) and at least an optical signal processing unit (U) situated in the vehicle, wherein the optical processing unit (U) is provided with a transmitter (3; 3b) for transmission of diverging optical signals (S2); wherein an optical system is arranged to pass on light between the signal processing unit (U) and proximal ends of at least a number of the optical signal guides (2), wherein the optical system comprises a collimator to collimate optical signals coming from the transmitter.
Abstract:
Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein Lidar-Messsystem zur Detektion der Anwesenheit und/oder Bewegung von Partikeln und/oder Objekten in einem von dem Lidar-Messsystem entfernten Raumbereich mit einer Interferometeranordnung sowie ein entsprechendes Verfahren unter Verwendung eines solchen Messsystems. Die Interferometeranordnung weist eine Dauerstrich-Laserquelle (2), eine Photodetektoranordnung (7) und optische Komponenten auf, die angepasst sind, um von der Dauerstrich-Laserquelle (2) ausgesandtes Licht (23) aufzuteilen, entlang eines einen Messzweig (4) bildenden ersten optischen Weges und eines von diesem getrennten und einen Referenzzweig (5) bildenden zweiten optischen Weges zu leiten und schließlich räumlich kohärent überlagert auf die Photodetektoranordnung (7) auftreffen zu lassen. Der Referenzzweig (5) hat eine vorbestimmte optische Weglänge, und der Messzweig (4) weist einen Messabschnitt (16) auf, in dem das Licht vom Messsystem weg in Richtung auf einen von diesem entfernten Raumbereich gerichtet ist und diesen durchläuft und von in dem Raumbereich befindlichen Partikeln in Richtung auf das Messsystem rückgestreutes Licht wieder am Messsystem empfangen wird. Ferner ist eine Auswerteeinheit (9) vorgesehen, die mit der Photodetektoranordnung (7) gekoppelt und angepasst ist, um deren Detektorsignal zu empfangen und aus dem Detektorsignal die Anwesenheit und/oder Bewegung von Partikeln in dem entfernten Raumbereich zu bestimmen. Die Dauerstrich-Laserquelle (2) hat eine Kohärenzlänge in dem Bereich von 0,1 bis 100 m.
Abstract:
A system for scanning light to define a range gated signal includes a pulsed coherent light source that directs light into the atmosphere, a light gathering instrument that receives the light modified by atmospheric backscatter and transfers the light onto an image plane, a scanner that scans collimated light from, the image plane to form a range gated signal from the light modified by atmospheric backscatter, a control circuit that coordinates timing of a scan rate of the scanner and a pulse rate of the pulsed coherent light source so that the range gated signal is formed according to a desired range gate, an optical device onto which an image of the range gated signal is scanned, and an interferometer to which the image of the range gated signal is directed by the optical device. The interferometer is configured to modify the image according to a desired analysis.
Abstract:
A method for estimating a distance includes: generating an optical signal having a wavelength that is within a wavelength range, the optical signal modulated via a modulation signal having a modulation frequency; transmitting the modulated optical signal from a light source into the optical fiber, the optical fiber in contact with a moveable strain inducing element located at the position along the optical fiber, the optical fiber including a plurality of sensing locations configured to reflect light within the wavelength range when under strain from the strain inducing element and transmit light within the wavelength range when not under strain from the strain inducing element; receiving a reflected signal including light reflected from at least one of the sensing locations; demodulating the reflected signal with a reference signal to generate reflected signal data; and determining the distance to the position along the optical fiber based on the reflected signal data.