Optical signal detectors comprising optical signal sensors and logarithmic amplifiers, systems comprising the same, and methods of use therefor

A system, comprising:

• an optical signal detector comprising:
• an aperture for receiving an optical signal;
• an optical signal sensor having separate photodiodes each configured to be irradiated with portions of the optical signal directed from the aperture, detect the portions of the optical signal impinging therewith, and generate analog signals therefrom, wherein the optical signal sensor is configured to have:
• (i) a wide dynamic range of at least 70 decibels (dB) or greater, (ii) a high bandwidth of at least 1 megahertz (MHz) or greater, and (iii) a high sensitivity of at most negative 60 decibel-milliwatts (dBm) or less;
• logarithmic amplifiers each configured to receive the analog signals from a corresponding one of the photodiodes of the optical signal sensor, perform logarithmic amplification of the received analog signals, and generate logarithmic analog signals from the analog signals;
• and
• a controller configured to, by one or more processors:
• convert the logarithmic analog signals to digital data;
• and
• determine an orientation of the optical signal relative to the optical signal detector including determining a position of a light spot of the optical signal on the optical signal sensor.

A method, comprising:

• receiving, with an optical signal detector, an optical signal from an optical signal source;
• directing the optical signal to impinge upon photodiodes of an optical signal sensor of the optical signal detector, wherein the optical signal sensor is configured to have:
• (i) a wide dynamic range of at least 70 decibels (dB) or greater, a high bandwidth of at least 1 megahertz (MHz) or greater, a high sensitivity of not more that negative 60 decibel-milliwatts (dBm) or less;
• sensing the optical signal with the photodiodes of the optical signal sensor;
• generating, by each of the photodiodes, analog signals based on portions of the optical signal impinging thereon;
• logarithmically amplifying the analog signals with logarithmic amplifiers to generate logarithmic analog signals;
• converting, by one or more processors, the logarithmic analog signals to digital data;
• and
• determining, by the one or more processors, an orientation of the optical signal relative to the optical signal detector without a normalization step.