Optical communications – Optical communication over freee space – Satellite system
Reexamination Certificate
2005-10-18
2005-10-18
Swarthout, Brent A. (Department: 2636)
Optical communications
Optical communication over freee space
Satellite system
C398S118000, C398S121000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06957020
ABSTRACT:
An optical inter-satellite link (OISL) gimbal10that is particularly suited for directing an optical beam in an optical inter-satellite communications system is disclosed. The OISL gimbal10includes an azimuth drive housing20, a generally cylindrical azimuth shaft22rotatably connected to the azimuth drive housing20and an optical payload210or beam-steering mirror70rotatably connected to the azimuth shaft22. The azimuth shaft22has a clear aperture through which one or more optical beams may be directed to and from a stationary optical payload30. A capacitive azimuth position sensor40detects the rotational position of the azimuth shaft22and a direct drive azimuth motor50drives rotation of the azimuth shaft22. The OISL gimbal10preferably provides two-axis rotation of the optical payload210or beam-steering mirror70through approximately +/−180 degrees of inboard (azimuth) travel and +/−30 degrees of line-of-sight outboard (elevation) travel. Rotation of the optical payload210or beam-steering mirror70about the elevation axis may be driven by a direct-drive elevation motor160. Also, a capacitive elevation position sensor130may be provided for detecting the rotational position of the optical payload or beam-steering mirror about the elevation axis.
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Carroll Mark A.
Johnson Dan R.
Sherman Daniel R.
Stone Timothy R.
Heal Noel F.
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Swarthout Brent A.
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