Patent ID: 8757064
Filing Date: 2014-06-24
Classification: F42C,G01S

Abstract:
1. An optical sensor for a moving device comprising an array of optical apertures distributed about the outer surface of the device, and a reconfigurable optical waveguide network comprising an adjustable optical device configured to selectively couple the array of apertures to a laser source and to a photodetector in a plurality of modes, the adjustable optical device being configured such that light from said laser source is emitted simultaneously by selected ones of said apertures in selected directions, and light returned from a target is received by selected ones of said apertures and coupled via respective wave guides of said network to said photodetector, to sense targets in selected directions, the respective waveguides being arranged to provide respective predetermined delays for returned light from each of said selected apertures so as to enable a multiplexing of the received light on to an optical wave guide which is coupled to said photodetector, wherein in one mode light is emitted and received to sense a target in one direction and in a second mode light is emitted and received to sense targets in multiple directions.