Patent US4017146A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4017146A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Transmitter for use in a laser communication and ranging system
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1976-03-04
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Granted: 1977-04-12
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Expires: 1996-03-04
Abstract
Abstract A transmitter for extending the operational range capability of laser comications and ranging systems. A narrow laser beam is angle deflected to provide a raster scan equivalent to a broad beam scan.
Inventors
- 👤 Samuel W. Lichtman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:41
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/11; G; G01; G01S; G01S17/00; G01S17/02; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/10; G02B26/12; G02B26/127
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
For use in a laser communication and ranging system a transmitter for extending the operational range capability comprising: a. a laser beam source; b. pulsed modulator means for receiving said laser beams and providing a modulated beam output containing encoded data; c. optical focusing means for receiving said modulated beam for focusing said beam to a predetermined narrow beam width, d. angle deflection modulator means for receiving said beam and deflecting said beam in a predetermined raster scan of an operational area equivalent to a broad beam scan, said angle deflection means including a ramp generator coupled to said pulse modulator and being triggered by the onset and for the duration of each beam pulse; e. search scan mirror means for reflecting said beam to an area of interest.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
For use in a laser communication and ranging system a transmitter for extending the operational range capability comprising: a. a laser beam source; b. pulsed modulator means for receiving said laser beams and providing a modulated beam output containing encoded data; c. optical focusing means for receiving said modulated beam for focusing said beam to a predetermined narrow beam width, d. angle deflection modulator means for receiving said beam and deflecting said beam in a predetermined raster scan of an operational area equivalent to a broad beam scan, said angle deflection means including a ramp generator coupled to said pulse modulator and being triggered by the onset and for the duration of each beam pulse; e. search scan mirror means for reflecting said beam to an area of interest.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The transmitter of claim 1 wherein said angle deflection modulator means further comprises an electro-optical modulator for receiving the pulsed beam from said pulse modulator and coupled to said ramp generator for controlling said pulsed beam in said raster format.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The transmitter of claim 2 wherein the raster frame control is controlled by the duration of the widths of the beam pulses.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of extending the operational range capability of a laser communication and ranging system which comprises: a. providing a pulsed modulated laser beam of solid angle beam width φ 2 b. angle deflecting said pulsed modulator beam to scan a solid angular region, φ 1 , for the duration of each modulating pulse, where φ 1 /φ 2 > 1, c. detecting signal returns from the φ 2 field by sweeping with a photodetector in a shorter time interval, corresponding to γ/α 2 , where α = φ 1 /φ 2 .
Claim 6
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of extending the operational range capability of a laser communication and ranging system which comprises: a. providing a pulsed modulated laser beam of solid angle beam width φ 2 b. angle deflecting said pulsed modulator beam to scan a solid angular region, φ 1 , for the duration of each modulating pulse, where φ 1 /φ 2 > 1, c. detecting signal returns from the φ 2 field by sweeping with a photodetector in a shorter time interval, corresponding to γ/α 2 , where α = φ 1 /φ 2 .
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 4 wherein in said detecting step a photodetector is utilized with a transit rise time consistent with a reduction in onset time of the pulsed signal by a factor of (φ 1 /φ 2 ) 2 .
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-04-11 | 1980-10-11 | 1981-04-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-04-11 | 1984-10-11 | 1985-04-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-04-11 | 1988-10-11 | 1989-04-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |