Active Optical Tracking with Spatial Light Modulators

Abstract

Two spatial light modulators are utilized for beam splitting, steering and tracking. Both linear and holographic phase screens are used in a demonstration of technology to allow real time tracking to communicate in a one-to-several type scenario. One SLM is used to apply a linear phase modulation to steer multiple beams onto a detector. The spots that are produced represent the targets as they move around the field of view of the central communication node. A Gerchberg-Saxton algorithm will subsequently use the detected spots as the desired pointing locations. Using this as input, the Gerchberg-Saxton algorithm yields a phase only map, for multiple spot beam steering which is called the holographic phase. The holographic phase screens are then used on a second SLM to steer beams on the same detector in near real time. As the target spots move about the detector's field of view the holographic spots track them.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2005
Accession Number
ADA450037

Entities

People

  • Steven Mawhorter

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Algorithms
  • Beam Steering
  • Charge Coupled Devices
  • Computer Simulations
  • Control Systems
  • Department Of Defense
  • Detectors
  • Electric Fields
  • Fourier Analysis
  • Microelectromechanical Systems
  • Modulation
  • Modulators
  • Optical Modulators
  • Optical Tracking
  • Optics
  • Refractive Index

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.