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US 8,712,246 B2Granted
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
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims14
An apparatus, comprising:
- a first reflecting element comprising a concave primary mirror that has an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter and a first curvature, wherein said first reflecting element further comprises a concave secondary mirror disposed within said inner perimeter, wherein said secondary mirror comprises a central aperture and a second curvature that is greater than said first curvature;
- a folding mirror facing said secondary mirror, wherein said folding mirror is configured to transmit a radio-frequency signal (RFS) and is further configured to reflect an optical signal (OS);
- and
- a compensating element configured to transmit said RFS, wherein said folding mirror is located between said compensating element and said first reflecting element.
1 more element
A method, comprising:
- providing an apparatus, comprising:
- a first reflecting element comprising a concave primary mirror that has an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter and a first curvature, wherein said first reflecting element further comprises a concave secondary mirror disposed within said inner perimeter, wherein said secondary mirror comprises a central aperture and a second curvature that is greater than said first curvature;
- a folding mirror facing said secondary mirror, wherein said folding mirror is configured to transmit a radio-frequency signal (RFS) and is further configured to reflect an optical signal (OS);
- and
- a compensating element configured to transmit said RFS, wherein said folding mirror is located between said compensating element and said first reflecting element;
- transmitting said RFS through said compensating element and said folding mirror;
- and
- reflecting said OS from said folding mirror.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.