An optical detector system provides beam positioning data to an optical tracking system to facilitate optical communications. The optical detector system comprises a plurality of optical photodetectors. For example, a two-by-two array may be used. Incoming light passes through one or more optical elements, such as a lens and a dispersive optical element. A first portion of the beam entering the optical elements is directed into a first spot having a first area on the array. A second portion of the beam entering the optical elements is dispersed to form a second spot having a second area on the array that is larger than the first area. This combination of first portion and second portion of the beam incident on the array provides unambiguous information in the output of the photodetectors that is indicative of a position of the incoming beam with respect to the array.

An optical detector system provides beam positioning data to an optical tracking system to facilitate optical communications. The optical detector system comprises a plurality of optical photodetectors. For example, a two-by-two array may be used. Incoming light passes through one or more optical elements, such as a lens and a dispersive optical element. A first portion of the beam entering the optical elements is directed into a first spot having a first area on the array. A second portion of the beam entering the optical elements is dispersed to form a second spot having a second area on the array that is larger than the first area. This combination of first portion and second portion of the beam incident on the array provides unambiguous information in the output of the photodetectors that is indicative of a position of the incoming beam with respect to the array.

Solar trackers that may be advantageously employed on sloped and/or variable terrain to rotate solar panels to track motion of the sun across the sky include bearing assemblies and other mechanical features configured to address mechanical challenges posed by the sloped and/or variable terrain that might otherwise prevent or complicate use of solar trackers on such terrain.

Solar trackers that may be advantageously employed on sloped and/or variable terrain to rotate solar panels to track motion of the sun across the sky include bearing assemblies and other mechanical features configured to address mechanical challenges posed by the sloped and/or variable terrain that might otherwise prevent or complicate use of solar trackers on such terrain.

Solar trackers that may be advantageously employed on sloped and/or variable terrain to rotate solar panels to track motion of the sun across the sky include bearing assemblies and other mechanical features configured to address mechanical challenges posed by the sloped and/or variable terrain that might otherwise prevent or complicate use of solar trackers on such terrain.

Solar trackers that may be advantageously employed on sloped and/or variable terrain to rotate solar panels to track motion of the sun across the sky include bearing assemblies and other mechanical features configured to address mechanical challenges posed by the sloped and/or variable terrain that might otherwise prevent or complicate use of solar trackers on such terrain.

A flash detection device comprises at least a first and a second sensor module, wherein each of the sensor modules comprises at least a photodiode for detecting an irradiance emitted by a source, and the first sensor module comprises at least an angular efficiency attenuator configured for attenuating the irradiance received by the photodiode according to a predetermined angular efficiency profile, wherein the at least first and second sensor modules are configured for collecting light from substantially the same field of view, and the angular efficiency attenuator of the first sensor module causes the first and second sensor modules to have complementary predetermined angular efficiency profiles, so that, for angles of view within a common field of view of the first and second sensor modules, a combination of irradiance measurements of the first and second sensor modules enables to derive an irradiance source angle of the source.

A wireless transmitting/receiving system includes a transmitter, a first directional receiver, a camera, a storage device and a processor. The transmitter is disposed on a target object and transmits a wireless signal. The first directional receiver is disposed with respect to an entry/exit boundary. The first directional receiver receives the wireless signal and generates a first received signal strength indication. The camera captures an image of the entry/exit boundary. The storage device stores a mapping table of target object location and received signal strength. The processor is electrically connected to the storage device and determines a location of the target object and a moving direction of the target object with respect to the entry/exit boundary according to the image and the mapping table of target object location and received signal strength.

A wireless transmitting/receiving system includes a transmitter, a first directional receiver, a camera, a storage device and a processor. The transmitter is disposed on a target object and transmits a wireless signal. The first directional receiver is disposed with respect to an entry/exit boundary. The first directional receiver receives the wireless signal and generates a first received signal strength indication. The camera captures an image of the entry/exit boundary. The storage device stores a mapping table of target object location and received signal strength. The processor is electrically connected to the storage device and determines a location of the target object and a moving direction of the target object with respect to the entry/exit boundary according to the image and the mapping table of target object location and received signal strength.

A sensor and a 3-D position detection system are disclosed. In an embodiment a sensor includes at least one sensor chip configured to detect radiation, at least one carrier on which the sensor chip is mounted and a cast body that is transmissive for the radiation and that completely covers the sensor chip, wherein a centroid shift of the sensor chip amounts to at most 0.04 mrad at an angle of incidence of up to at least 60°, wherein the cast body comprises a light inlet side that faces away from the sensor chip, and the light inlet side comprises side walls bounding it on all sides, wherein the side walls are smooth, planar and transmissive for the radiation, wherein a free field-of-view on the light inlet side has an aperture angle of at least 140°, and wherein the cast body protrudes in a direction away from the sensor chip beyond a bond wire.