초록 ▼

A fine pointing assembly for steering a light beam in an optical inter-satellite communications system is disclosed. The fine pointing assembly (10) includes a mirror (30) connected to an assembly housing (20) by an outer gimbal (40), an inner gimbal (50) and a set of linear motors (60, 61, 62 and 6

A fine pointing assembly for steering a light beam in an optical inter-satellite communications system is disclosed. The fine pointing assembly (10) includes a mirror (30) connected to an assembly housing (20) by an outer gimbal (40), an inner gimbal (50) and a set of linear motors (60, 61, 62 and 63). The inner gimbal (50) is connected to the assembly housing (20) by flexure pivots (55 and 56) and the outer gimbal (40) is connected to the inner gimbal (50) by flexure pivots (41 and 42). A capacitive position sensor (70 and 80) and signal conditioning circuitry (100) located within the assembly housing (20) sense the position of the mirror (30) and provide feedback used in the control of the linear motors. The position sensor, linear motors and signal conditioning circuitry may include redundant elements. An exemplary embodiment of a fine pointing assembly (10) for pointing a representative 1.5 inch diameter mirror is described that displaces no more than 8 cubic inches.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. An apparatus for directing a steering mirror in an optical communications system comprising:an assembly housing;a steering mirror for directing a light beam;an outer gimbal located within said assembly housing connected to the steering mirror;an inner gimbal located wit

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. An apparatus for directing a steering mirror in an optical communications system comprising:an assembly housing;a steering mirror for directing a light beam;an outer gimbal located within said assembly housing connected to the steering mirror;an inner gimbal located within said assembly housing rotatably connected to the outer gimbal on a first axis and to the assembly housing on a second axis;a set of linear actuators located within said assembly housing operable to tilt the steering mirror about said first and second axes;a position sensor located within said assembly housing connected to the outer gimbal for sensing the direction and magnitude of tilt of the steering mirror; andconditioning circuitry responsive to said position sensor for providing feedback utilized in controlling said linear motors.