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US 4,096,380 AGranted
System for transmitting light signals between a missile and a missile control station
OwnerKurt Eichweberinventor
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OwnerKurt Eichweberinventor
Estimating the term…
A system for transmitting light signals between a missile and a missile control launching site is provided by utilizing a laser beam light signal transmission path. The system comprises a laser emitter having a relatively broad transmission beam for producing a transmission path for the modulated light signals during the flight of the missile. The system obviates the need for light transmission lines or other physical connection between the missile and the control station and provides for continuously aiming the laser beam on the missile by means of a follow-up device responsive to a portion of the beam reflected from the missile. At least one crown of triple mirror reflectors is distributed about the axis of the missile to enable the missile to reflect the laser beam impinging thereon independently of the flight position of the missile. The laser beam is modulated to transmit control light signals from the control station and information light signals from the missile.
A system for transmitting control and/or information signals between a missile and a missile control station without physical connection therebetween comprising means at said control station for producing a transmission path for modulated light signals between said station and said missile during the flight of the missile, said transmission path consisting of an emitted laser beam, means for continuously aiming said laser beam on said missile from the control station, reflector means carried by said missile for reflecting part of said beam back to said control station said reflector means including at least one triple mirror reflector for reflecting the laser beam, said missile being equipped with a signal producing device and an optical modulator connected with the triple mirror reflector, the optical modulator being controllable by said signal producing device for modulation of at least one of said emitted and reflected laser beams to provide said signals, said missile being provided with a target detection device, said signal producing device being controlled by said target detecting device.
A system for transmitting control and/or information signals between a missile and a missile control station without physical connection therebetween comprising means at said control station for producing a transmission path for modulated light signals between said station and said missile during the flight of the missile, said transmission path consisting of an emitted laser beam and said means including a laser emitter having modulation means for superimposing a modulation on the laser beam representing the control light signal for the missile, said emitter including a beam divider for separating a portion of the emitter laser beam and said modulation means including an optical modulator through which the separated beam portion is passed, means for continuously aiming said laser beam on said missile from the control station, reflector means carried by said missile for reflecting part of said beam back to said control station and means for modulation of at least one of said emitted and reflected laser beams to provide said signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.