Multicube retroreflector and retroreflector-based communication system
US10649117B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 21, 2017 |
| Grant date | May 12, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 23, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B26/0816
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A “multicube” retroreflector may include “nested” corner cubes. Such a design combines the ease of fabrication of conventional corner cubes (e.g., stamping from a sheet) and the ability to easily and densely package them with a greater range of angles over which light will be reflected back towards the source. Such multicube retroreflectors may reflect 50% more light than corner cube retroreflectors. A retroreflector, or an array of retroreflectors, may be used as part of a communication system. A modulated retroreflector or an array thereof can form the basis of a unique communication system. For instance, by using a modulated retroreflector, or an array of such retroreflectors, a host system (e.g., an aircraft) can receive data from a remote system (e.g., a drone, an air-dropped sensor package, etc.) in a way that is difficult to intercept, and minimizes the power, computation, and antenna pointing requirements for the remote system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.