Fourier telescopic imaging system and method
US8058598B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 5, 2009 |
| Grant date | Nov 15, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 5, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B2207/129
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system and method for imaging far away fast moving objects such as satellites in low earth orbit. The object to be imaged is illuminated simultaneously with a composite beam comprised of a large number of separate laser beams from a large number of laser sources each from a separate position with each of the separate laser beams shifted in frequency with respect to each other beam so as to produce a large number of beat frequencies in the composite beam. The positions of the laser sources are changed rapidly during an illumination period of a few seconds. Light reflected from the object is collected in a large number of light buckets and information defining the intensity of the collected reflected light as a function of time is stored. The positions and frequencies of each of the laser sources are also recorded and stored as a function of time. The stored information defining the intensity of the collected reflected light is analyzed by one or more computer processors utilizing special algorithms to produce a image of the object.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.