Optical inertial reference unit for kilohertz bandwidth submicroradian optical pointing and jitter control
US7227111B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 27, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jun 5, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 22, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01C21/166
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A device providing an inertially stabilized laser beam as an optical reference. The device consists of a base and a small stabilized optical platform that emits the laser beam. The platform connects to the base through a mechanical flexure that allows relative motion in two axes. High-bandwidth angular rate sensors affixed to the platform measure platform motion in inertial space. Linear displacement sensors measure relative motion between base and platform. A closed-loop control system accepts these sensor measurements and command actuators that null the sensed platform motions, maintaining the optical platform fixed in inertial space. The digital controller implements a Sensor Blending Kalman Filter that blends high frequency signals from the platform with low frequency signals from a DC sensor (gyroscope) external to this device but affixed to the common base. The controller enables both stabilization of the laser beam and commanded pointing of the beam in inertial space.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.