Photosensitive tracker including means for producing an output in accordance with a plurality of radiation characteristics

Claim 2

Sensing apparatus, comprising: a radiation responsive, variable impedance detector element, said element having four input ohmic bias terminals arranged in a rhombic pattern and an output ohmic terminal centrally disposed with respect to said pattern; primary biasing means coupled to said element through said input terminals for coupling a pair of alternating current bias signals through said element, said bias signals being in phase quadrature and each bias signal being coupled through a pair of diagonally opposed input terminals; load impedance means coupled to said element through said output terminal; secondary biasing means coupled to said element through all of said terminals, said primary biasing and said load impedance means for coupling a secondary bias signal therethrough; output means coupled to said element through said output terminal for providing an output signal indicative of position of a remote radiation source and indicative of radiation amplitude variations, said output means including vertical and horizontal position resolution means; and balancing means coupled to said biasing means between said element and said biasing means for each said bias signal and including a variable voltage control for producing a variable reference voltage level to balance said bias and output signals with respect to saiad reference level.

Claim 3

Sensing apparatus, comprising: a radiation responsive, variable impedance detector element, having four input bias terminals and a centrally disposed, output terminal; reference phase biasing transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current reference phase bias signal; quadrature phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to the other pair of said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current quadrature phase bias signal in phase quadrature with said reference bias signal; load impedance means coupled to said element through said output terminal; secondary biasing means coupled to said element through all of said terminals, said primary biasing and said load impedance means for coupling a secondary bias signal therethrough; output means coupled to said element through said output terminal for providing an output signal indicative of position of a remote radiation source and indicative of radiation amplitude variations; and balancing means coupled to said biasing means between said element and said biasing means for each said bias signal and including a variable voltage control for producing a variable reference voltage level to balance said bias and output signals with respect to said reference level.

Claim 4

Sensing apparatus, comprising: a radiation responsive, variable impedance detector element, having four input bias terminals and a centrally disposed, output terminal; reference phase biasing transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current reference phase bias signal; quadrature phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to the other pair of said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current quadrature phase bias signal in phase quadrature with said reference bias signal; load impedance means coupled to said element through said output terminal; secondary biasing means coupled to said element through all of said terminals, said primary biasing and said load impedance means for coupling a secondary bias signal therethrough; output means coupled to said element through said output terminal for providing an output signal indicative of position of a remote radiation source and indicative of radiation amplitude variations; and balancing means coupled to said biasing means between said element and said biasing means for each said bias signal and including a variable voltage control for producing a variable reference voltage level to balance said bias and output signals with respect to said reference level.

Claim 5

Sensing apparatus, comprising: a radiation responsive, variable impedance detector element, having four input bias terminals and a centrally disposed, output terminal; reference phase biasing transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of diagonally opposed said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current reference bias signal; reference phase balancing means coupled in parallel with said secondary winding and including a variable voltage control for producing a variable reference voltage level; quadrature phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current quadrature phase bias signal in quadrature with said reference bias signal; quadrature phase balancing means coupled in parallel with said quadrature bias secondary winding and including a variable voltage control for producing a variable reference voltage level; load impedance means coupled to said element through said output terminal; secondary biasing means coupled to said element through all of said terminals, said primary biasing and said load impedance means for coupling a secondary bias signal therethrough; and output means coupled to said element through said output terminal for providing an output signal indicative of position of a remote radiation source and indicative of radiation amplitude variaTions, said bias and output signals being balanced with respect to said reference level.

Claim 6

Sensing apparatus, comprising: a radiation responsive, variable impedance detector element, having four input bias terminals and a centrally disposed, output terminal; reference phase biasing transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of diagonally opposed said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current reference bias signal; reference phase balancing means coupled in parallel with said secondary winding and including a variable voltage control for producing a variable reference voltage level; quadrature phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current quadrature phase bias signal in quadrature with said reference bias signal; quadrature phase balancing means coupled in parallel with said quadrature bias secondary winding and including a variable voltage control for producing a variable reference voltage level; load impedance means coupled to said element through said output terminal; secondary biasing means coupled to said element through all of said terminals, said primary biasing and said load impedance means for coupling a secondary bias signal therethrough; and output means coupled to said element through said output terminal for providing an output signal indicative of position of a remote radiation source and indicative of radiation amplitude variaTions, said bias and output signals being balanced with respect to said reference level.

Claim 7

Sensing apparatus, comprising: a radiation responsive, variable impedance detector element, having four input bias terminals and a centrally disposed, output terminal; reference phase biasing tramsformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of diametrically opposed said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current reference phase bias signal; reference phase balancing means coupled to said biasing transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection for producing a variable reference voltage level; quadrature phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current quadrature phase bias signal in quadrature with said reference bias signal; quadrature phase balancing means coupled to said quadrature biasing transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said quadrature bias secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection connected in junction with the first said potentiometer connection for producing a variable reference voltage level; load impedance means coupled to said element through said output terminal; secondary biasing means coupled in a direct current path to said element, through said terminals, said load means and said bias signals in phase quadrature through said junction for coupling a secondary bias signal therethrough; and output means coupled to said element through said output terminal for providing an output signal indicative of position of a remote radiation source and indicative of radiation amplitude variations, said bias and output signals being balanced with respect to said reference level.

Claim 8

Sensing apparatus, comprising: a radiation responsive, variable impedance detector element, having four input bias terminals and a centrally disposed, output terminal; reference phase biasing tramsformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of diametrically opposed said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current reference phase bias signal; reference phase balancing means coupled to said biasing transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection for producing a variable reference voltage level; quadrature phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current quadrature phase bias signal in quadrature with said reference bias signal; quadrature phase balancing means coupled to said quadrature biasing transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said quadrature bias secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection connected in junction with the first said potentiometer connection for producing a variable reference voltage level; load impedance means coupled to said element through said output terminal; secondary biasing means coupled in a direct current path to said element, through said terminals, said load means and said bias signals in phase quadrature through said junction for coupling a secondary bias signal therethrough; and output means coupled to said element through said output terminal for providing an output signal indicative of position of a remote radiation source and indicative of radiation amplitude variations, said bias and output signals being balanced with respect to said reference level.

Claim 9

Sensing apparatus, comprising: a radiation responsive, photoconductive detector element, said element having four input ohmic bias terminals arranged in a rhombic pattern and an output ohmic terminal centrally disposed with respect to said pattern; reference phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current reference phase bias signal; reference phase balancing means coupled to said reference bias transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection for producing a variable reference voltage level; quadrature phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current quadrature phase bias signal in phase quadrature with said reference bias signal; quadrature phase balancing means coupled to said quadrature phase bias transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said quadrature bias secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection connected in junction with first said potentiometer connection for producing a variable reference voltage level; load impedance means coupled to said element through said output terminal; secondary biasing means coupled in a direct current path to said element through said terminals, said load impedance means and said bias signals in phase quadrature through said junction for coupling a secondary bias signal therethrough; and output means coupled to said element through said output terminal for providing output signals indicative of position of a remote radiation source and indicative of radiation amplitude variations, said bias and output signals being balanced with respect to said reference level, said output means including vertical and horizontal position spiral resolution means and raDiation amplitude signal resolution means.

Claim 10

Sensing apparatus, comprising: a radiation responsive, photoconductive detector element, said element having four input ohmic bias terminals arranged in a rhombic pattern and an output ohmic terminal centrally disposed with respect to said pattern; reference phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current reference phase bias signal; reference phase balancing means coupled to said reference bias transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection for producing a variable reference voltage level; quadrature phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current quadrature phase bias signal in phase quadrature with said reference bias signal; quadrature phase balancing means coupled to said quadrature phase bias transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said quadrature bias secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection connected in junction with first said potentiometer connection for producing a variable reference voltage level; load impedance means coupled to said element through said output terminal; secondary biasing means coupled in a direct current path to said element through said terminals, said load impedance means and said bias signals in phase quadrature through said junction for coupling a secondary bias signal therethrough; and output means coupled to said element through said output terminal for providing output signals indicative of position of a remote radiation source and indicative of radiation amplitude variations, said bias and output signals being balanced with respect to said reference level, said output means including vertical and horizontal position spiral resolution means and raDiation amplitude signal resolution means.

Claim 11

Sensing apparatus, comprising: a radiation responsive, photoconductive detector element, said element having four input ohmic bias terminals arranged in a rhombic pattern and an output ohmic terminal centrally disposed with respect to said pattern; reference phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current reference phase bias signal; reference phase balancing means coupled to said reference bias transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection for producing a variable reference voltage level; quadrature phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current quadrature phase bias signal in phase quadrature with said reference bias signal; quadrature phase balancing means coupled to said quadrature phase bias transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said quadrature bias secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection connected in junction with the first said potentiometer connection for producing a variable reference voltage level; load impedance means coupled to said element through said output terminal; means having a secondary winding coupled to said element through said terminals, said load impedance and said phase bias signals through said junction for coupling therethough a secondary alternating current bias signal differing in frequency from said phase bias signals; secondary bias balancing means coupled to said secondary bias transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said secondary bias secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection for producing a secondary reference voltage level; and output means coupled to said element through said output terminal for providing output signals indicative of position of a remote radiation source and indicative of radiation amplitude variations, said phase bias and output signals being balanced with respect to the first said reference level and said secondary bias and said output signals being balanced with respect to said secondary reference level, said output means including vertical and horizontal position signal resolution means and radiation amplitude signal resolution means.

Claim 12

Sensing apparatus, comprising: a radiation responsive, photoconductive detector element, said element having four input ohmic bias terminals arranged in a rhombic pattern and an output ohmic terminal centrally disposed with respect to said pattern; reference phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current reference phase bias signal; reference phase balancing means coupled to said reference bias transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection for producing a variable reference voltage level; quadrature phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current quadrature phase bias signal in phase quadrature with said reference bias signal; quadrature phase balancing means coupled to said quadrature phase bias transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said quadrature bias secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection connected in junction with the first said potentiometer connection for producing a variable reference voltage level; load impedance means coupled to said element through said output terminal; means having a secondary winding coupled to said element through said terminals, said load impedance and said phase bias signals through said junction for coupling therethough a secondary alternating current bias signal differing in frequency from said phase bias signals; secondary bias balancing means coupled to said secondary bias transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said secondary bias secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection for producing a secondary reference voltage level; and output means coupled to said element through said output terminal for providing output signals indicative of position of a remote radiation source and indicative of radiation amplitude variations, said phase bias and output signals being balanced with respect to the first said reference level and said secondary bias and said output signals being balanced with respect to said secondary reference level, said output means including vertical and horizontal position signal resolution means and radiation amplitude signal resolution means.

Claim 13

Sensing apparatus, comprising: a radiation responsive, photoconductive detector element, said element having four input ohmic bias terminals arranged in a rhombic pattern and an output ohmic terminal centrally disposed with respect to said pattern; reference phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current reference phase bias signal; reference phase balancing means coupled to said reference bias transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection for producing a variable reference voltage level; quadrature phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current quadrature phase bias signal in phase quadrature with said reference bias signal; quadrature phase balancing means coupled to said quadrature phase bias transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said quadrature bias secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection connected in junction with the first said potentiometer connection for producing a variable reference voltage level; load impedance means coupled to said element through said output terminal; direcT current biasing means coupled in a direct current path to said element through said terminals, said load impedance means and said phase bias signals through said junction for coupling a direct current bias signal therethrough; and output means coupled to said element through said output terminal for providing output signals indicative of position of a remote radiation source andc indicative of radiation amplitude variations, said bias and output signals being balanced with respect to said reference level, said output means including vertical and horizontal position signal resolution and radiation amplitude signal resolution means.

Claim 14

Sensing apparatus, comprising: a radiation responsive, photoconductive detector element, said element having four input ohmic bias terminals arranged in a rhombic pattern and an output ohmic terminal centrally disposed with respect to said pattern; reference phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current reference phase bias signal; reference phase balancing means coupled to said reference bias transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection for producing a variable reference voltage level; quadrature phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current quadrature phase bias signal in phase quadrature with said reference bias signal; quadrature phase balancing means coupled to said quadrature phase bias transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said quadrature bias secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection connected in junction with the first said potentiometer connection for producing a variable reference voltage level; load impedance means coupled to said element through said output terminal; direcT current biasing means coupled in a direct current path to said element through said terminals, said load impedance means and said phase bias signals through said junction for coupling a direct current bias signal therethrough; and output means coupled to said element through said output terminal for providing output signals indicative of position of a remote radiation source andc indicative of radiation amplitude variations, said bias and output signals being balanced with respect to said reference level, said output means including vertical and horizontal position signal resolution and radiation amplitude signal resolution means.

Claim 15

Sensing apparatus, comprising: a radiation responsive, photoconductive detector element, said element having four input ohmic bias terminals arranged in a rhombic pattern and an output ohmic terminal centrally disposed with respect to said pattern; reference phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current reference phase bias signal; reference phase balancing means coupled to said reference bias transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection for producing a variable reference voltage level; quadrature phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current quadrature phase bias signal in phase quadrature with said reference bias signal; quadrature phase balancing means coupled to said quadrature phase bias transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said quadrature bias secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection connected in junction with the first said potentiometer connection for producing a variable reference voltage level; load impedance means coupled to said element through said output terminal; direct current bias signal means coupled to said element through said terminals, said load impedance means and said phase bias signals through said junction for coupling a direct current bias signal therethrough; direct current bias balancing means coupled to said direct current bias means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel therewith and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection for producing a direct current reference voltage level; and output means coupled to said element through said output terminal for providing output signals indicative of position of a remote radiation source and indicative of radiation amplitude variations, said phase bias and output signals being balanced with respect to the first said reference level and said direct current bias and said output signals being balanced with respect to said secondary reference level, said output means including vertical and horizontal position signal resolutions means and radiation amplitude signal resolution means.

Claim 16

Sensing apparatus, comprising: a radiation responsive, photoconductive detector element, said element having four input ohmic bias terminals arranged in a rhombic pattern and an output ohmic terminal centrally disposed with respect to said pattern; reference phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current reference phase bias signal; reference phase balancing means coupled to said reference bias transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection for producing a variable reference voltage level; quadrature phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current quadrature phase bias signal in phase quadrature with said reference bias signal; quadrature phase balancing means coupled to said quadrature phase bias transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said quadrature bias secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection connected in junction with the first said potentiometer connection for producing a variable reference voltage level; load impedance means coupled to said element through said output terminal; direct current bias signal means coupled to said element through said terminals, said load impedance means and said phase bias signals through said junction for coupling a direct current bias signal therethrough; direct current bias balancing means coupled to said direct current bias means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel therewith and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection for producing a direct current reference voltage level; and output means coupled to said element through said output terminal for providing output signals indicative of position of a remote radiation source and indicative of radiation amplitude variations, said phase bias and output signals being balanced with respect to the first said reference level and said direct current bias and said output signals being balanced with respect to said secondary reference level, said output means including vertical and horizontal position signal resolutions means and radiation amplitude signal resolution means.

Claim 17

A tracking device, comprising: mount means including a movable member with two degrees of freedom; a radiation responsive, photosensitive, variable impedance detector element carried by said member, said element having four input ohmic bias terminals arranged in a rhombic pattern and an output ohmic terminal centrally disposed with respect to said patttern; reference phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of diagonally opposed said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current reference phase bias signal; reference phase balancing means coupled to said reference bias transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection for producing a variable reference bias signal relative to a reference voltage level; quadratuRe phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to the other pair of said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current quadrature phase bias signal in phase quadrature with said reference bias signal; quadrature phase balancing means coupled to said quadrature bias transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said quadrature bias secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection connected in junction with the first said potentiometer connection for producing a variable quadrature bias signal relative to said reference voltage level; load impedance means coupled to said element through said output terminal; direct current biasing means coupled in a direct current path to said element through said terminals, said load impedance means and said phase bias signals through said junction for coupling a direct current bias signal therethrough; output means coupled to said element through said output terminal for providing vertical and horizontal drive control signals indicative of position of a remote radiation source and indicative of radiation amplitude variations, said phase bias and output signals being balanced with respect to said reference level, said output means including vertical and horizontal position signal resolution means and radiation amplitude signal resolution means; and drive means coupled to said output means and said mount means for controlling the orientation of said movable member in response to said drive control signals, whereby said tracking device is enabled to receive communication signals from a remote source of amplitude modulated radiation and demodulate said communication signals while simultaneously and continuously aligning said detector element with said source.

Claim 18

A tracking device, comprising: mount means including a movable member with two degrees of freedom; a radiation responsive, photosensitive, variable impedance detector element carried by said member, said element having four input ohmic bias terminals arranged in a rhombic pattern and an output ohmic terminal centrally disposed with respect to said patttern; reference phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of diagonally opposed said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current reference phase bias signal; reference phase balancing means coupled to said reference bias transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection for producing a variable reference bias signal relative to a reference voltage level; quadratuRe phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to the other pair of said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current quadrature phase bias signal in phase quadrature with said reference bias signal; quadrature phase balancing means coupled to said quadrature bias transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said quadrature bias secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection connected in junction with the first said potentiometer connection for producing a variable quadrature bias signal relative to said reference voltage level; load impedance means coupled to said element through said output terminal; direct current biasing means coupled in a direct current path to said element through said terminals, said load impedance means and said phase bias signals through said junction for coupling a direct current bias signal therethrough; output means coupled to said element through said output terminal for providing vertical and horizontal drive control signals indicative of position of a remote radiation source and indicative of radiation amplitude variations, said phase bias and output signals being balanced with respect to said reference level, said output means including vertical and horizontal position signal resolution means and radiation amplitude signal resolution means; and drive means coupled to said output means and said mount means for controlling the orientation of said movable member in response to said drive control signals, whereby said tracking device is enabled to receive communication signals from a remote source of amplitude modulated radiation and demodulate said communication signals while simultaneously and continuously aligning said detector element with said source.

Claim 19

A tracking device, comprising: mount means including a movable member with two degrees of freedom; a radiation responsive, photosensitive, variable impedance detector element carried by said member, said element having four input ohmic bias terminals arranged in a rhombic pattern and an output ohmic terminal centrally disposed with respect to said pattern; reference phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of diagonally opposed said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current reference phase bias signal; reference phase balancing means coupled to said reference bias transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection for producing a variable reference bias signal relative to a first reference voltage level; quadrature phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to the other pair of said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current quadrature phase bias signal in phase quadrature with said reference bias signal; quadrature phase balancing means coupled to said quadrature bias transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said quadrature bias secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection connected in junction with the first said potentiometer connection for producing a variable quadrature bias signal relative to said reference voltage level; load impedance means coupled to said element through said output terminal; secondary alternating current bias signal means having a secondary winding coupled to said element through said terminals, said load impedance means and said phase bias signals through said junction for coupling therethrough a secondary alternating current bias signal differing in frequency from said phase bias signals; secondary bias balancing means coupled to said secondary bias transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said secondary bias secondary winding and having a variable potentiOmeter electrical connection for producing a variable secondary bias signal relative to a second reference voltage level; output means coupled to said element through said output terminal for providing vertical and horizontal drive control signals indicative of position of a remote radiation source and indicative of intensity of said radiation; said phase bias and output signals being balanced with respect to said first reference level and said secondary bias and output signals being balanced with respect to said second reference level, said output means including vertical and horizontal position signal resolution means and radiation intensity resolution means; and drive means coupled to said output means and said mount means for controlling the orientation of said movable member in response to said drive control signals, whereby said tracking device is enabled to receive communication signals from a remote source of radiation and produce an indication of intensity of said radiation while simultaneously and continuously aligning said detector element with said source.

Claim 20

A tracking device, comprising: mount means including a movable member with two degrees of freedom; a radiation responsive, photosensitive, variable impedance detector element carried by said member, said element having four input ohmic bias terminals arranged in a rhombic pattern and an output ohmic terminal centrally disposed with respect to said pattern; reference phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to a pair of diagonally opposed said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current reference phase bias signal; reference phase balancing means coupled to said reference bias transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection for producing a variable reference bias signal relative to a first reference voltage level; quadrature phase bias signal transformer means having a secondary winding coupled to the other pair of said input terminals for coupling said element to a source of alternating current quadrature phase bias signal in phase quadrature with said reference bias signal; quadrature phase balancing means coupled to said quadrature bias transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said quadrature bias secondary winding and having a variable potentiometer electrical connection connected in junction with the first said potentiometer connection for producing a variable quadrature bias signal relative to said reference voltage level; load impedance means coupled to said element through said output terminal; secondary alternating current bias signal means having a secondary winding coupled to said element through said terminals, said load impedance means and said phase bias signals through said junction for coupling therethrough a secondary alternating current bias signal differing in frequency from said phase bias signals; secondary bias balancing means coupled to said secondary bias transformer means with a potentiometer stator coupled in parallel with said secondary bias secondary winding and having a variable potentiOmeter electrical connection for producing a variable secondary bias signal relative to a second reference voltage level; output means coupled to said element through said output terminal for providing vertical and horizontal drive control signals indicative of position of a remote radiation source and indicative of intensity of said radiation; said phase bias and output signals being balanced with respect to said first reference level and said secondary bias and output signals being balanced with respect to said second reference level, said output means including vertical and horizontal position signal resolution means and radiation intensity resolution means; and drive means coupled to said output means and said mount means for controlling the orientation of said movable member in response to said drive control signals, whereby said tracking device is enabled to receive communication signals from a remote source of radiation and produce an indication of intensity of said radiation while simultaneously and continuously aligning said detector element with said source.

Claim 21

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable impedance detector means having a detector element adapted to vary in impedance in response to said radiation for producing a signal in accordance with the variation of one said detector element impedance with respect to another said detector element impedance; alternating current primary biasing means coupled to said detector means for coupling a primary frequency bias signal through said element; load impedance means coupled to said detector means for developing a signal in accordance with the variation of one said detector element impedance with respect to said load impedance; alternating current secondary biasing means coupled to said detector means for coupling a secondary frequency bias signal differing from said primary frequency through said load impedance and said element; and output means coupled to said detector and load means for providing an output signal in accordance with a selected characteristic of said radiation.

Claim 22

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable impedance detector means having a detector element adapted to vary in impedance in response to said radiation for producing a signal in accordance with the variation of one said detector element impedance with respect to another said detector element impedance; alternating current primary biasing means coupled to said detector means for coupling a primary frequency bias signal through said element; load impedance means coupled to said detector means for developing a signal in accordance with the variation of one said detector element impedance with respect to said load impedance; alternating current secondary biasing means coupled to said detector means for coupling a secondary frequency bias signal differing from said primary frequency through said load impedance and said element; and output means coupled to said detector and load means for providing an output signal in accordance with a selected characteristic of said radiation.

Claim 23

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable impedance detector means having a detector element adapted to vary in impedance in response to said radiation for producing a signal in accordance with the variation of one said detector element impedance with respect to another said detector element impedance, said element having four input ohmic terminals arranged in a rhombic pattern and a centrally disposed output terminal; primary frequency biasing means coupled to said detector means for coupling a pair of quadrature phased, alternating current bias signals through said element through said input terminals; load impedance means coupled to said detector means for developing a signal in accordance with the variation of one said detector element impedance with respect to said load impedance; secondary biasing means coupled to said element and said load means for coupling a secondary frequency, alternating current bias signal differing from said primary frequency through said load means and said element through all of said terminals; and output means coupled to said detector and load means for providing an output signal in accordance with a selected characteristic of said radiation.

Claim 24

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable impedance detector means having a detector element adapted to vary in impedance in response to said radiation for producing a signal in accordance with the variation of one said detector element impedance with respect to another said detector element impedance, said element having four input ohmic terminals arranged in a rhombic pattern and a centrally disposed output terminal; primary frequency biasing means coupled to said detector means for coupling a pair of quadrature phased, alternating current bias signals through said element through said input terminals; load impedance means coupled to said detector means for developing a signal in accordance with the variation of one said detector element impedance with respect to said load impedance; secondary biasing means coupled to said element and said load means for coupling a secondary frequency, alternating current bias signal differing from said primary frequency through said load means and said element through all of said terminals; and output means coupled to said detector and load means for providing an output signal in accordance with a selected characteristic of said radiation.

Claim 25

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable impedance detector means having a detector element adapted to vary in impedance in response to said radiation for producing a signal in accordance with the variation of one said detector element impedance with respect to another said detector element impedance, said element having a plurality of input terminals and an output terminal; primary biasing means coupled to said detector means for coupling a bias signal through said element through said input terminals; load impedance means coupled to said detector means for developing a signal in accordance with the variaTion of one said detector element impedance with respect to said load impedance; secondary biasing means coupled to said element and said load means for coupling a secondary bias signal along a nonrectifying direct current path through said load means and said element through all of said terminals; and output means coupled to said detector and load means for providing an output signal in accordance with a selected characteristic of siad radiation.

Claim 26

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable impedance detector means having a detector element adapted to vary in impedance in response to said radiation for producing a signal in accordance with the variation of one said detector element impedance with respect to another said detector element impedance, said element having a plurality of input terminals and an output terminal; primary biasing means coupled to said detector means for coupling a bias signal through said element through said input terminals; load impedance means coupled to said detector means for developing a signal in accordance with the variaTion of one said detector element impedance with respect to said load impedance; secondary biasing means coupled to said element and said load means for coupling a secondary bias signal along a nonrectifying direct current path through said load means and said element through all of said terminals; and output means coupled to said detector and load means for providing an output signal in accordance with a selected characteristic of siad radiation.

Claim 27

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable impedance detector means having a detector element adapted to vary in impedance in response to said radiation for producing a signal in accordance with the variation of one said detector element impedance with respect to another said detector element impedance, said element having a plurality of input terminals and an output terminal; alternating current biasing means coupled to said detector means for coupling a bias signal through said element through said input terminals; load impedance means coupled to said detector means for developing a signal in accordance with the variation of one said detector element impedance with respect to said load impedance; secondary alternating current biasing means coupled to said element and said load means for coupling a secondary bias signal current through said load means and said element through all of said terminals; and output means coupled to said detector and load means for providing an output signal in accordance with a selected characteristic of said radiation.

Claim 28

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable impedance detector means having a detector element adapted to vary in impedance in response to said radiation for producing a signal in accordance with the variation of one said detector element impedance with respect to another said detector element impedance, said element having a plurality of input terminals and an output terminal; alternating current biasing means coupled to said detector means for coupling a bias signal through said element through said input terminals; load impedance means coupled to said detector means for developing a signal in accordance with the variation of one said detector element impedance with respect to said load impedance; secondary alternating current biasing means coupled to said element and said load means for coupling a secondary bias signal current through said load means and said element through all of said terminals; and output means coupled to said detector and load means for providing an output signal in accordance with a selected characteristic of said radiation.

Claim 29

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable impedance detector means having a detector element adapted to vary in impedance in response to said radiation for producing a signal in accordance with the variation of one said detector element impedance with respect to another said detector element impedance, said element having a plurality of input terminals and an output terminal; alternating current biasing means coupled to said detector means for coupling an alternating current bias signal through said element through said input terminals; load impedance means coupled to said detector means for developing a signal in accordance with the variation of one said detector element impedance with respect to said load impedance; direct current biasing means coupled to said element and said load means for coupling a direct current bias signal current through said load means and said element through all of said terminals; and output means coupled to said detector and load means for providing an output signal in accordance with a selected characteristic of said radiation.

Claim 30

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable impedance detector means having a detector element adapted to vary in impedance in response to said radiation for producing a signal in accordance with the variation of one said detector element impedance with respect to another said detector element impedance, said element having a plurality of input terminals and an output terminal; alternating current biasing means coupled to said detector means for coupling an alternating current bias signal through said element through said input terminals; load impedance means coupled to said detector means for developing a signal in accordance with the variation of one said detector element impedance with respect to said load impedance; direct current biasing means coupled to said element and said load means for coupling a direct current bias signal current through said load means and said element through all of said terminals; and output means coupled to said detector and load means for providing an output signal in accordance with a selected characteristic of said radiation.

Claim 31

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable impedance detector means having an element adapted to vary in impedance in response to said radiation for continuously producing a position signal indicative of the position of said radiation relative to said element and in accordance with the variation of an internal element impedance with respect to another internal element impedance; load impedance means coupled to said detector means for continuously developing an intensity signal, independently of said position signal, in accordance with the variation of the total impedance of said element with respect to said load impedance and indicative of the intensity of said radiation; and output means coupled to said detector and load means for providing an output signal in accordance with selected characteristics of said radiation.

Claim 32

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable impedance detector means having an element adapted to vary in impedance in response to said radiation for continuously producing a position signal indicative of the position of said radiation relative to said element and in accordance with the variation of an internal element impedance with respect to another internal element impedance; load impedance means coupled to said detector means for continuously developing an intensity signal, independently of said position signal, in accordance with the variation of the total impedance of said element with respect to said load impedance and indicative of the intensity of said radiation; and output means coupled to said detector and load means for providing an output signal in accordance with selected characteristics of said radiation.

Claim 33

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable impedance detector means having an element adapted to vary in impedance in response to said radiation for continuously producing an alternating current position signal indicative of the position of said radiation relative to said element and varying in phase and amplitude in accordance with the variation of an internal element impedance with respect to another internal element impedance; load impedance means coupled to said detector means for continuously developing an intensity signal, independently of said position signal, varying in amplitude in accordance with the variation of the total impedance of said element with respect to said load impedance and indicative of the intensity of said radiation; and output means coupled to said detector and load means for providing an output signal in accordance with selected characteristics of said radiation.

Claim 34

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable impedance detector means having an element adapted to vary in impedance in response to said radiation for continuously producing an alternating current position signal indicative of the position of said radiation relative to said element and varying in phase and amplitude in accordance with the variation of an internal element impedance with respect to another internal element impedance; load impedance means coupled to said detector means for continuously developing an intensity signal, independently of said position signal, varying in amplitude in accordance with the variation of the total impedance of said element with respect to said load impedance and indicative of the intensity of said radiation; and output means coupled to said detector and load means for providing an output signal in accordance with selected characteristics of said radiation.

Claim 35

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable bilateral impedance detector means having an element adapted to vary in bilateral impedance in response to said radiation for continuously producing a position signal indicative of the position of said radiation relative to said element and in accordance with the variation of an internal element impedance with respect to another internal element impedance; load impedance means coupled to said detector means in nonrectifying junction with said element for continuously developing an intensity signal, independently of said position signal, in accordance with the variation of the total impedance of said element with respect to said load impedance and indicative of the intensity of said radiation; and output means coupled to said detector and load means for providing an output signal in accordance with selected characteristics of said radiation.

Claim 36

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable bilateral impedance detector means having an element adapted to vary in bilateral impedance in response to said radiation for continuously producing a position signal indicative of the position of said radiation relative to said element and in accordance with the variation of an internal element impedance with respect to another internal element impedance; load impedance means coupled to said detector means in nonrectifying junction with said element for continuously developing an intensity signal, independently of said position signal, in accordance with the variation of the total impedance of said element with respect to said load impedance and indicative of the intensity of said radiation; and output means coupled to said detector and load means for providing an output signal in accordance with selected characteristics of said radiation.

Claim 37

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable impedance detector means having an element adapted to vary in impedance in response to said radiation for continuously producing a position signal indicative of the position of said radiation relative to said element and in accordance with the variation of an internal element impedance with respect to another internal element impedance; bias means coupled to said detector means for producing substantially an uniformly rotating field in said element; load impedance means coupled to said detector and bias means for continuously developing an intensity signal, independently of said position signal, in accordance with the variation of the total impedance of said element with respect to said load impedance and indicative of the intensity of said radiation; and output means coupled to said detector and load means for providing an output signal in accordance with selected characteristics of said radiation.

Claim 38

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable impedance detector means having an element adapted to vary in impedance in response to said radiation for continuously producing a position signal indicative of the position of said radiation relative to said element and in accordance with the variation of an internal element impedance with respect to another internal element impedance; bias means coupled to said detector means for producing substantially an uniformly rotating field in said element; load impedance means coupled to said detector and bias means for continuously developing an intensity signal, independently of said position signal, in accordance with the variation of the total impedance of said element with respect to said load impedance and indicative of the intensity of said radiation; and output means coupled to said detector and load means for providing an output signal in accordance with selected characteristics of said radiation.

Claim 39

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable impedance detector means having an element adapted to vary in impedance in response to said radiation for continuously producing a position signal indicative of the position of said radiation relative to said element and in accordance with the variation of an internal element impedance with respect to another internal element impedance; bias means coupled to said detector means for producing substantially an uniformly rotating electric field in said element; load impedance means coupled to said detector and bias means for continuously developing an intensity signal, independently of said position signal, in accordance with the variation of the total impedance of said element with respect to said load impedance and indicative of the intensity of said radiation; and output means coupled to said detector and load means for providing an output signal in accordance with selected characteristics of said radiation.

Claim 40

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable impedance detector means having an element adapted to vary in impedance in response to said radiation for continuously producing a position signal indicative of the position of said radiation relative to said element and in accordance with the variation of an internal element impedance with respect to another internal element impedance; bias means coupled to said detector means for producing substantially an uniformly rotating electric field in said element; load impedance means coupled to said detector and bias means for continuously developing an intensity signal, independently of said position signal, in accordance with the variation of the total impedance of said element with respect to said load impedance and indicative of the intensity of said radiation; and output means coupled to said detector and load means for providing an output signal in accordance with selected characteristics of said radiation.

Claim 41

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable impedance detector means having an element adapted to vary in impedance in response to said radiation for continuously producing a position signal indicative of the position of said radiation relative to said element and in accordance with the variation of an internal element impedance with respect to another internal element impedance, said element having a plurality of input bias electrodes and a centrally disposed output electrode; bias means coupled to said detector means through said input electrodes for producing substaNtially an uniformly rotating electric field in said element, the voltages, relative said output electrode, on adjacent input electrodes being in phase quadrature and the voltages, relative said output electrode, on opposing electrodes being in phase opposition; load impedance means coupled to said detector and bias means for continuously developing an intensity signal, independently of said position signal, in accordance with the variation of the total impedance of said element with respect to said load impedance and indicative of the intensity of said radiation; and output means coupled to said detector and load means for providing an output signal in accordance with selected characteristics of said radiation.

Claim 42

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable impedance detector means having an element adapted to vary in impedance in response to said radiation for continuously producing a position signal indicative of the position of said radiation relative to said element and in accordance with the variation of an internal element impedance with respect to another internal element impedance, said element having a plurality of input bias electrodes and a centrally disposed output electrode; bias means coupled to said detector means through said input electrodes for producing substaNtially an uniformly rotating electric field in said element, the voltages, relative said output electrode, on adjacent input electrodes being in phase quadrature and the voltages, relative said output electrode, on opposing electrodes being in phase opposition; load impedance means coupled to said detector and bias means for continuously developing an intensity signal, independently of said position signal, in accordance with the variation of the total impedance of said element with respect to said load impedance and indicative of the intensity of said radiation; and output means coupled to said detector and load means for providing an output signal in accordance with selected characteristics of said radiation.

Claim 43

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable bilateral impedance detector means having an element adapted to vary in bilateral impedance in response to said radiation for continuously producing a position signal indicative of the position of said radiation to said element and in accordance with the variation of an internal element impedance with respect to another internal element impedance; bias means coupled to said detector means for producing substantially an uniformly rotating electric field in said element; load impedance means coupled to said detector and bias means in nonrectifying junction with said element for continuously developing an intensity signal, independently of said position signal, in accordance with the variation of the total impedance of said element with respect to said load impedance and indicative of the intensity of said radiation; and output means coupled to said detector and load means for providing an output signal in accordance with selected characteristics of said radiation.

Claim 44

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable bilateral impedance detector means having an element adapted to vary in bilateral impedance in response to said radiation for continuously producing a position signal indicative of the position of said radiation to said element and in accordance with the variation of an internal element impedance with respect to another internal element impedance; bias means coupled to said detector means for producing substantially an uniformly rotating electric field in said element; load impedance means coupled to said detector and bias means in nonrectifying junction with said element for continuously developing an intensity signal, independently of said position signal, in accordance with the variation of the total impedance of said element with respect to said load impedance and indicative of the intensity of said radiation; and output means coupled to said detector and load means for providing an output signal in accordance with selected characteristics of said radiation.

Claim 45

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable impedance detector means having an element adapted to vary in impedance in response to said radiation for producing a position signal indicative of the position of said radiation relative to said element and in accordance with the variation of an internal element impedance with respect to another internal element impedance; load impedance means coupled to said detector means for developing an intensity signal, independently of said position signal, in accordance with the variation of the total impedance of said element with respect to said load impedance and indicative of the intensity of said radiation; output position means coupled to said detector and load means for producing an output position signal in accordance with the first said position signal; and output intensity means coupled to said detector and load means for producing an independent output intensity signal in accordance with the first said intensity signal.

Claim 46

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable impedance detector means having an element adapted to vary in impedance in response to said radiation for producing a position signal indicative of the position of said radiation relative to said element and in accordance with the variation of an internal element impedance with respect to another internal element impedance; load impedance means coupled to said detector means for developing an intensity signal, independently of said position signal, in accordance with the variation of the total impedance of said element with respect to said load impedance and indicative of the intensity of said radiation; output position means coupled to said detector and load means for producing an output position signal in accordance with the first said position signal; and output intensity means coupled to said detector and load means for producing an independent output intensity signal in accordance with the first said intensity signal.

Claim 47

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable impedance detector means; primary biasing means coupled to said detector means for coupling a primary bias signal through said detector means; secondary biasing means coupled to said detector means for coupling a secondary bias signal through said detector means; primary output means coupled to said detector means for providing a primary output signal derived from variations in said primary bias signal in accordance with a primary selected characteristic of said radiation; and secondary output means coupled to said detector means for providing a secondary output signal derived from variations in said secondary bias signal in accordance with a secondary selected characteristic of said radiation.

Claim 48

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable impedance detector means; primary biasing means coupled to said detector means for coupling a primary bias signal through said detector means; secondary biasing means coupled to said detector means for coupling a secondary bias signal through said detector means; primary output means coupled to said detector means for providing a primary output signal derived from variations in said primary bias signal in accordance with a primary selected characteristic of said radiation; and secondary output means coupled to said detector means for providing a secondary output signal derived from variations in said secondary bias signal in accordance with a secondary selected characteristic of said radiation.

Claim 49

The sensing apparatus of claim 24, wherein: load impedance means are coupled to said detector means and said secondary biasing means are coupled to said detector, primary biasing and load impedance means for coupling said biasing and load impedance means.

Claim 50

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable impedance detector means having a detector element adapted to vary in iMpedance in response to said radiation for producing a primary signal derived from the variation of one said detector element impedance with respect to another said detector element impedance; biasing means coupled to said detector means for coupling a bias signal through said element; external load impedance means coupled to said detector means and said biasing means; primary output means coupled to said detector and load means for providing a primary output signal derived from variations in said bias signal produced by variations of said one detector element impedance with respect to said another detector element impedance in accordance with a primary selected characteristic of said radiation; and secondary output means coupled to said detector and load means for providing an output signal derived from variations in said bias signal produced by the variation of the total said detector element impedance with respect to said external load impedance in accordance with a secondary selected characteristic of said radiation.

Claim 51

Sensing apparatus, comprising: radiation responsive, variable impedance detector means having a detector element adapted to vary in iMpedance in response to said radiation for producing a primary signal derived from the variation of one said detector element impedance with respect to another said detector element impedance; biasing means coupled to said detector means for coupling a bias signal through said element; external load impedance means coupled to said detector means and said biasing means; primary output means coupled to said detector and load means for providing a primary output signal derived from variations in said bias signal produced by variations of said one detector element impedance with respect to said another detector element impedance in accordance with a primary selected characteristic of said radiation; and secondary output means coupled to said detector and load means for providing an output signal derived from variations in said bias signal produced by the variation of the total said detector element impedance with respect to said external load impedance in accordance with a secondary selected characteristic of said radiation.