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US 2014/0193158 A1Published application
Rf/optical shared aperture for high availability wideband communication rf/fso links
AssigneeLawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
InventorsAnthony J. Ruggiero, Hsueh-yuan Pao, Paul Sargis
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Abstract
An RF/Optical shared aperture is capable of transmitting and receiving optical signals and RF signals simultaneously. This technology enables compact wide bandwidth communications systems with 100% availability in clear air turbulence, rain and fog. The functions of an optical telescope and an RF reflector antenna are combined into a single compact package by installing an RF feed at either of the focal points of a modified Gregorian telescope.
Claims15
An apparatus, comprising:
- a first reflecting element comprising a concave primary mirror and a concave secondary mirror, wherein said concave primary mirror has an inner perimeter, an outer perimeter and a first curvature, wherein said concave secondary mirror is disposed within said inner perimeter and comprises a central aperture and a second curvature that is greater than said first curvature;
- a folding mirror facing said concave secondary mirror, wherein said folding mirror is configured to reflect a radio-frequency signal (RFS) and an optical signal (OS);
- an RFS source configured to direct said RFS through said central aperture such that said RSF will first be reflected by said folding mirror and will then be reflected by said concave primary mirror;
- and
- an OS source configured to direct said OS through said central aperture such that said OS will first be reflected by said folding mirror and will then be reflected by said concave primary mirror.
2 more elements
A fabrication method, comprising:
- providing a first reflecting element comprising a concave primary mirror and a concave secondary mirror, wherein said concave primary mirror has an inner perimeter, an outer perimeter and a first curvature, wherein said concave secondary mirror is disposed within said inner perimeter and comprises a central aperture and a second curvature that is greater than said first curvature;
- configuring a folding mirror such that it is facing said concave secondary mirror, wherein said folding mirror is configured to reflect a radio-frequency signal (RFS) and an optical signal (OS);
- configuring an RFS source to direct said RFS through said central aperture such that said RSF will first be reflected by said folding mirror and will then be reflected by said concave primary mirror;
- and
- configuring an OS source to direct said OS through said central aperture such that said OS will first be reflected by said folding mirror and will then be reflected by said concave primary mirror.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.