US4804832A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Two directional angle of arrival system
Assignee: Goodrich Corp
•
Filing: 1985-12-10
•
Granted: 1989-02-14
•
Expires: 2005-12-10
Abstract
Abstract A compact and efficient two direction of arrival system which is responsive over a large incident solid angle. The system is operative to use relatively few detectors, simple and inexpensive optics in a small assembly, and a very wide field coverage.
Inventors
- 👤 Leland V. Gardner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:10
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S3/00; G01S3/78; G01S3/782; G01S3/783
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
An optical direction of arrival system responsive to incident electromagnetic radiation, comprising: an even number of detector elements each of which is responsive to a distribution of incident electromagnetic radiation thereupon for providing respective detector outputs, each of said detector elements having an active radiation detecting surface having the shape of a right-angled parallelogram having edges which define a length and a width of said active radiation detecting surface, said detector elements being arranged in a predetermined configuration; reflecting means being operable for selectively reflecting incident electromagnetic radiation to said detector elements so that the detector elements may receive both direct and reflected incident electromagnetic radiation, said reflecting means further being operable for selectively obscuring incident electromagnetic radiation for preventing the reception of the incident electromagnetic radiation by said detector elements, said reflecting means being orthogonally disposed to said detector elements along at least one edge of said detecting elements; and processing means responsive to said detector outputs for determining the direction of arrival of incident optical signals as a function of the distribution of incident electromagnetic radiation on said detector elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
An optical direction of arrival system responsive to incident electromagnetic radiation, comprising: an even number of detector elements each of which is responsive to a distribution of incident electromagnetic radiation thereupon for providing respective detector outputs, each of said detector elements having an active radiation detecting surface having the shape of a right-angled parallelogram having edges which define a length and a width of said active radiation detecting surface, said detector elements being arranged in a predetermined configuration; reflecting means being operable for selectively reflecting incident electromagnetic radiation to said detector elements so that the detector elements may receive both direct and reflected incident electromagnetic radiation, said reflecting means further being operable for selectively obscuring incident electromagnetic radiation for preventing the reception of the incident electromagnetic radiation by said detector elements, said reflecting means being orthogonally disposed to said detector elements along at least one edge of said detecting elements; and processing means responsive to said detector outputs for determining the direction of arrival of incident optical signals as a function of the distribution of incident electromagnetic radiation on said detector elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The optical direction of arrival system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of detector elements includes four detector elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The optical direction of arrival system of claim 2 wherein said reflecting means provides reflections at planes which are perpendicular to said detector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The optical direction of arrival system of claim 2 wherein said four detector elements are separated from each other by said reflecting means which includes reflecting surfaces perpendicular to the incident surfaces of said four detector elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical direction of arrival system of claim 2 wherein said four detector elements may be placed randomly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The optical direction of arrival system of claim 4 wherein said reflecting means is a cross-shaped mirror assembly having two orthogonal legs respectively having parallel reflecting surfaces, and wherein each of said four detector elements is rectangular and positioned in one of the vertexes of said cross-shaped mirror assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical direction of arrival system of claim 4 wherein said four detector elements may be placed randomly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The optical direction of arrival system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of detector elements includes two detector elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The optical direction of arrival system of claim 8 wherein said reflecting means separates said two detector elements and includes first and second reflecting surfaces which are respectively orthogonal to said two detector elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The optical direction of arrival system of claim 9 wherein said reflecting means comprises a mirror assembly having parallel reflecting surfaces.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
JPS5226859A
Cited
US4027651A
Cited
US4549078A
Cited
US4349733A
Cited
JPS5818059A
Cited
US4498768A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-02-14 | 1992-08-15 | 1993-02-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-02-14 | 1996-08-15 | 1997-02-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-02-14 | 2000-08-15 | 2001-02-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |