Patent ID: 6445351
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: H01Q

Abstract:
A combined potical sensor and communications antenna system, comprising:a primary reflector for reflecting radiation, the primary reflector including a centrally located core, the core being adapted to transmit the radiation, an axis extending through the core forming an optical axis of the system; a secondary reflector positioned along the optical axis of the system for rereflecting and focusing the radiation reflected from the primary reflector toward the core of the primary reflector; a beam splitter positioned adjacent the primary reflector on the opposite side from the secondary reflector, the beam splitter being adapted for separating and redirecting the radiation rereflected form the secondary reflector into an optical radiation component along a first path and a radiofrequency radiation component along a second path; a focal plane assembly located adjacent the beam splitter and comprising an array of photodetectors, the focal plane assembly being configured to receive the optical radiation from the beam splitter along the first path, the focal plane assembly being further configured to form an image based on the optical radiation received and registered to the array of photodetectors; and a radiofrequency feed assembly located adjacent the beam splitter, the assembly being configured to receive the radiofrequency radiation from the beam splitter along the second path to establish radiofrequency communication, the radiofrequency feed assembly being further configured to transmit radiofrequency radiation; wherein the first path and the second path are generally orthogonal to each other.