Pointing Error Statistics In Optical Beam Tracking

R. M. Gagliardi; M. Sheikh

doi:10.1117/12.956694

21 December 1978 Pointing Error Statistics In Optical Beam Tracking

R. M. Gagliardi, M. Sheikh

Proceedings Volume 0150, Laser and Fiber Optics Communications; (1978) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.956694
Event: 22nd Annual Technical Symposium, 1978, San Diego, United States

Abstract

In tracking optical beams from a source, a pointing error signal is derived from photodetecting the field in the receiver focal plane. This error signal is then used in some manner to control a gimballed system that continually points the receiver optics toward the source. When the source field undergoes turbulent transmission, the optical beam is attenuated and scattered, and the field is randomly defocused at the receiver. In this case the pointing error of the tracking system will evolve as a random vector process in time, statistically related to the random scattering, the photo-detector process, and the dynamics of the gimballing system. Such vector processes have probability densities that satisfy well known differential equations. In this paper this equation is derived in terms of accepted scattering models and tracking systems, assuming quadrant type error detectors are used in the focal plane. Approximate solutions are obtained and analyzed for typical operating conditions, and the manner in which the degree of scattering degrades the entire pointing operation is shown.

Citation Download Citation

R. M. Gagliardi and M. Sheikh "Pointing Error Statistics In Optical Beam Tracking", Proc. SPIE 0150, Laser and Fiber Optics Communications, (21 December 1978); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.956694

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available