The transmission of Pulsed Light Signals from Land to Aircraft.

Abstract

Equipment for the generation and detection of high intensity light pulses has been developed. Composed of a transmitter and a receiver, the equipment was designed specifically for submarine-to-air signalling purposes. The transmitter and its operation are described in detail. Special attention is given to the light source, a flashtube which emits a light pulse having an effective duration of 0.65 microsecond and a total peak radiant intensity of about 120,000 watts between 300 and 680 millimicrons. Some experimental data on the detectable horizontal ranges attained during land-to-air signalling are presented along with some visual observations made on the light pulse from the transmitter. Although the angular width of the light pulse beam is only thirteen to twenty-three degrees, signals from the transmitter were detected over a horizontal range of almost four miles at an altitude of 5000 feet. Also the effect on the equipment of maintaining visual security is discussed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 11, 1956
Accession Number
ADA301591

Entities

People

  • C. M. Whitfield Jr
  • G. L. Stamm
  • W. S. Plymale Jr.

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Capacitors
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Energy Storage
  • Light Pulses
  • Light Sources
  • Measurement
  • Military Research
  • Observers
  • Phototubes
  • Power Supplies
  • Pulse Transmitters
  • Radiant Intensity
  • Radiation
  • Scattering
  • Voltage

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Radar Systems Engineering.
  • Spectroscopy.
  • Vision Science/Vision Psychology/Cognitive Neuroscience.