Patent ID: 7929125
Filing Date: 2011-04-19
Classification: G01C,G01S

Abstract:
1. A gimbaled system comprising: an optical coudé path to provide a bi-directional data communication path with a gimbaled payload; an off-gimbal communication laser to transmit modulated control data on an auto-alignment beam via the coudé path; and an on-gimbal communication detector to detect the control data received across the coudé path; an on-gimbal communication laser to transmit modulated data generated from one or more functional elements of the gimbaled payload via the coudé path; and an off-gimbal communication detector to detect the modulated data transmitted by the on-gimbal communication laser and received via the coudé path, wherein the off-gimbal communication laser is configured to generate the auto-alignment beam to align the coudé path, the auto-alignment beam being modulated to communicate the control data via the coudé path, the control data including command signals to control one or more functional elements of the gimbaled payload.