US4468093A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Hybrid space/time integrating optical ambiguity processor
Assignee: National Security Agency
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Filing: 1982-12-09
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Granted: 1984-08-28
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Expires: 2002-12-09
Abstract
Abstract A hybrid space/time integrating optical ambiguity processor in which time-sequential segments of a spatially modulated optical signal are received in a two-dimensional optical modulator. The output of the optical modulator is periodically imaged along one axis and transformed along a perpendicular axis, and the result is detected for further use. Two embodiments of the two-dimensional optical modulator are described; one utilizing an electrical-to-optical transducer and one utilizing an optical-to-optical transducer.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas E. Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:18
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06E; G06E3/00; G06E3/001; G06E3/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
An optical processing apparatus, comprising: first means for providing a light beam; first modulating means for intensity modulating said beam with a first electrical signal f(t); second modulating means for modulating the output of said modulating means with a second electrical signal g(t) along a first spatial dimension, x; a two-dimensional optical modulator placed to receive successive outputs from said second modulating means and to transform said outputs to positions along a second spatial dimension, y; second means for providing a light beam to illuminate said two-dimensional optical modulator; a detector; and optical means for imaging the output of said two-dimensional modulator along a first axis and transforming said output along a second axis perpendicular to said first axis, and for illuminating the detector with the resulting light beam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
An optical processing apparatus, comprising: first means for providing a light beam; first modulating means for intensity modulating said beam with a first electrical signal f(t); second modulating means for modulating the output of said modulating means with a second electrical signal g(t) along a first spatial dimension, x; a two-dimensional optical modulator placed to receive successive outputs from said second modulating means and to transform said outputs to positions along a second spatial dimension, y; second means for providing a light beam to illuminate said two-dimensional optical modulator; a detector; and optical means for imaging the output of said two-dimensional modulator along a first axis and transforming said output along a second axis perpendicular to said first axis, and for illuminating the detector with the resulting light beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second modulating means is an acousto-optic modulator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said two-dimensional optical modulator comprises: a one-dimensional detector array positioned to receive signals from said second modulating means, and a two-dimensional electrical-to-optical transducer configured to sequentially receive and store signals from said array.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said two-dimensional optical modulator comprises: an optical-to-optical transducer; means for scanning the output of said second modulator across the face of said transducer, and means for combining the output of said transducer with the output of said second light source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said scanning means is a rotating mirror.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said scanning means is an acousto-optic deflector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 3 or 4 wherein said first modulating means is an acousto-optic modulator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 3 or 4 wherein said first modulating means is an electro-optic modulator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 3 or 4 wherein said first means for providing a light beam is a laser diode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 3 or 4 wherein said first means for providing a light beam is a light-emitting diode.
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) | 1987-08-28 | 1988-02-27 | 1988-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-08-28 | 1992-02-27 | 1992-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-08-28 | 1996-02-27 | 1996-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |