Optical superheterodyne receiver uses a laser coupled to a frequency translator to supply both the incident signal and local oscillator signal and thus permit reception of amplitude modulated video bandwidth signals through the atmosphere. This receiver is useful in scientific propagation experiments, tracking experiments, and communication experiments

Lucy, R. F.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

December 1966
	
-	 Brief 66-10584 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued to summarize specific innovations derived from the U.S. space program, 
to encourage their commercial application. Copies are available to the public at 15 cents each 
from the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
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Optical Superheterodyne Receiver Uses Laser for Local Oscillator 
Atmosphere 
Path 
•"r 
Electronics Output
Beam Forming Lens
	 To Retrorefinctor 
The problem: 
To develop an optical superheterodyne receiver to 
permit reception of amplitude modulated video band-
width signals through the atmosphere. 
The solution: 
A system that uses a laser coupled to a frequency 
translator to supply both the incident signal and 
local oscillator signal in an optical superheterodyne 
receiver. 
How it's done: 
The output of the laser is reflected by mirrors to 
the beam director which directs it to the remotely 
located retroreflector. The return rays are reflected 
by the beam director to the parabolic mirror and then 
to the secondary beam forming mirror that directs 
the rays through the open center of the parabolic 
mirror to the mirror adder. Simultaneously, the local 
oscillator beam, originating in the laser is shifted in
frequency by the frequency translator to provide a 
frequency offset. This offset beam is focused by a 
beam forming lens into a focus point corresponding 
to the focus point produced by the secondary mirror. 
The collimated return rays are now mixed with the 
local beam at the mirror adder and the resultant dif -
ference beat is detected by the photomultiplier and 
fed to the electronics *output circuitry. 
Notes: 
I. A receiver than can cover a 1 gcs doppler range can 
be constructed with presently available compo-
nents. Use of electro-optic frequency translators in 
conjunction with wideband detectors will make it 
possible to cover 20 gcs doppler shifts in the fu-
ture. 
2. This receiver should be useful in scientific prop-
agation experiments, tracking experiments, and 
communication experiments.
(continued overleaf) 
low
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
will be free from privately owned rights. 
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19660000582 2020-03-11T17:45:33+00:00Z
3. Inquiries concerning this innovation may be di-	 Patent status: 
rected to:	 No patent action is contemplated by NASA. 
Technology Utilization Officer	 Source: R. F. Lucy et al 
Marshall Space Flight Center 	 of Sylvania Electronic Systems 
Huntsville, Alabama 35812	 under contract to 
Reference: B66-10584
	
	
Marshall Space Flight Center 
(M-FS-1605) 
Brief 66-10584	 Category 01


Optical superheterodyne receiver uses laser for local oscillator

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