An Infra Red detector system and method is disclosed that implements a digital coordinate generator onto a 2D focal plane array infrared detector. The method used in this form of the invention by the IR detector system, generates X-Y coordinate data for pixels containing detected target data. Advantageously, it reduces subsequent signal post processing required to generate the same data using numerical processing techniques in software and the latency that this introduces.

An Infra Red detector system and method is disclosed that implements a digital coordinate generator onto a 2D focal plane array infrared detector. The method used in this form of the invention by the IR detector system, generates X-Y coordinate data for pixels containing detected target data. Advantageously, it reduces subsequent signal post processing required to generate the same data using numerical processing techniques in software and the latency that this introduces.

A system and method includes an array position sensing detector. The array position sensing detector includes a lateral effect position sensing detector element and a summing amplifier. The lateral effect position sensing detector element produces an output coupled with the summing amplifier through a switch.

A system and method includes an array position sensing detector. The array position sensing detector includes a lateral effect position sensing detector element and a summing amplifier. The lateral effect position sensing detector element produces an output coupled with the summing amplifier through a switch.

A system and method for optical communication between multiple UUVs, more specifically, for leader-follower formations between UUVs. The system focuses on the characterization and modeling of a 1-dimensional and/or 3-dimensional light field produced from a light source mounted on a Leader UUV, which is detected by one or more follower UUVs. Communication algorithms are used to monitor the UUV's motion and orientation utilizing simulators, look up tables, and the like. A variety of detectors arrays can be used in a variety of wavelengths depending on the desired application.

A system and method for optical communication between multiple UUVs, more specifically, for leader-follower formations between UUVs. The system focuses on the characterization and modeling of a 1-dimensional and/or 3-dimensional light field produced from a light source mounted on a Leader UUV, which is detected by one or more follower UUVs. Communication algorithms are used to monitor the UUV's motion and orientation utilizing simulators, look up tables, and the like. A variety of detectors arrays can be used in a variety of wavelengths depending on the desired application.

A technique is presented for tracking a target illuminated by a laser designator. A light beam scattered from the target in response to illumination by the designator is received and projected on a detector as an unfocused spot. The detector is divided into a plurality of sectors, each sector being adjacent to two sectors and all sectors meeting at a common point. Each sector outputs a signal indicative of a respective energy of the portion of the light beam illuminating the sector of the detector. A sum of the signals is determined. A plurality of ratios is determined, each ratio corresponding to a respective sector and being calculated by dividing a signal from the respective sector by the sum of the signals. The orientation of the system with respect to the target is determined based on the three ratios, via a look-up table and/or via one or more algorithms.

A sensor for detecting and localizing laser beam sources, includes a beam-sensitive detector which is arranged in the image field of an imaging optic, an electric image processing device which is connected to the detector, and an optical diffraction element which is arranged in the beam path. The diffraction properties of the optical diffraction element are such that incident laser light on different wavelength bands produce diffraction patterns with different shapes, and the electronic image processing device is designed such that it can detect and evaluate the different forms of the diffraction pattern.

A sensor for detecting and localizing laser beam sources, includes a beam-sensitive detector which is arranged in the image field of an imaging optic, an electric image processing device which is connected to the detector, and an optical diffraction element which is arranged in the beam path. The diffraction properties of the optical diffraction element are such that incident laser light on different wavelength bands produce diffraction patterns with different shapes, and the electronic image processing device is designed such that it can detect and evaluate the different forms of the diffraction pattern.

A detector (110) and a method for optically determining a position of at least one object (112). The detector (110) comprises at least one optical sensor (114) for determining a position of at least one light beam (134) and at least one evaluation device (164) for generating at least one item of information on a transversal position of the object (112) and at least one item of information on a longitudinal position of the object (112). The sensor (114) has at least a first electrode (126) and a second electrode (128). At least one photovoltaic material (130) is embedded in between the first electrode (126) and the second electrode (128). The first electrode (126) or the second electrode (128) is a split electrode (136) having at least three partial electrodes (140, 142, 144, 146). The detector and the method can determine three-dimensional coordinates of an object in a fast and efficient way.