Radiant energy – Photocells; circuits and apparatus – Optical or pre-photocell system
Reexamination Certificate
2005-09-12
2009-11-03
Luu, Thanh X (Department: 2878)
Radiant energy
Photocells; circuits and apparatus
Optical or pre-photocell system
C398S131000
Reexamination Certificate
active
07612329
ABSTRACT:
A beam steering apparatus and method for free space optical transceivers is disclosed. The beam steering function is performed internally by way of translating an internal optical fiber in the focal plane of the transceiver telescope using miniature micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). The optical design of the transceiver provides a wide field of view and a pointing and tracking field of regard that is directly proportional to the translation of the optical fiber in the focal plane of the telescope. The apparatus and method can eliminate the need for external gimballing systems, and replace the gimballed free space optical beam steering function with MEMS that consumes very little power.
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U.S. Appl. No. 11/224,628, filed Sep. 12, 2005, Beam Steering for Optical Target Identification and Tracking without Gimbals or Scanning Mirrors.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/224,473, filed Sep. 12, 2005, MEMS-Based Optical Communications Beam Steering Apparatus.
Chalfant, III Charles H.
Gregory Jeffrey T.
O'Neal Chad B.
Orlando Fred J.
Dougherty J. Charles
Luu Thanh X
Space Photonics, Inc.
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