Modular Optical Aperture Building Blocks (MOABB)*
Abstract
*Formerly MultiPLEX While radio-enabled technologies manipulate radio waves for sensing (e.g. RADAR) and communication, optical systems leverage visible light and can enable foliage-penetrating light detection and ranging (LIDAR), navigation, 3D imaging, and long-range communications. Although the basic technology already exists, optical systems have been limited by their size, weight, and cost. A traditional optical telescope, for instance, requires expensive precision lenses and mirrors, large empty volumes for gathering and focusing light, and heavy mechanical steering components. Mechanical steering's limited speed and precision also impedes the use of optical systems in certain defense applications, although LIDAR is more suitable for detailed imaging relative to RADAR. The Modular Optical Aperture Building Blocks (MOABB) program seeks to greatly reduce the size and weight of optical systems while increasing steering rates. Specifically, MOABB aims to construct millimeter scale optical unit cells that can be coherently arrayed onto a flat surface to form a much larger, higher power device. These building blocks would replace the precision lenses, mirrors, and mechanical components from a conventional optical system. MOABB would also develop scalable optical phased arrays, borrowing from RADAR the technology required to steer electromagnetic waves, such as light and radio, without mechanical components. These advances would allow for a 100-fold reduction in size and weight and a 1,000-fold increase in steering rate. For applications such as LIDAR, laser communications and laser illumination, MOABB provides a compelling opportunity to replace empty space and bulk components with a planar, integrated system.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2017
- Source ID
- 268d02d557e80cd020d2f5005abed4e9
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- Root: ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY