Gimbaled system with optical coudé path and method transferring data

US7929125B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Raytheon Company · US

Inventors

• Frederick B. Koehler · Tucson, US
• William D. Werries · Tucson, US
• David J. Markason · Tucson, US
• David G. Anthony · Marana, US
• Robert Rinker · Tucson, US
• Thomas E. Roberts · Saratoga, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 26, 2008
• Grant date: Apr 19, 2011
• Expiry date: Apr 24, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S17/86
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Embodiments of a gimbaled system with an optical coudé path and method for transferring data are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the gimbaled system includes optical coudé path to provide a data communication path with a gimbaled payload, an on-gimbal communication laser to transmit modulated camera data via the coudé path, and an off-gimbal communication detector to detect the camera data received via the coudé path. In some embodiments, the optical coudé path may include at least two mirrors to provide a bi-directional communication path through an azimuth axis and an elevation axis of the gimbaled payload.