US Patent 7791719 Using a fixed-frequency oscillation to detect and measure scene inhomogeneity

An optical system measures scene inhomogeneity. The system includes a mirror for receiving radiance of a field-of-view (FOV) of a scene, and reflecting a portion of the radiance to an optical detector. A controller is coupled to the mirror for changing the FOV. The optical detector provides a signal of the reflected portion of radiance of the scene. A processor determines scene inhomogeneity, based on amplitude of the signal provided from the optical detector. The controller is configured to modulate the FOV at a periodic interval, using a sinusoidal waveform, a pulse code modulated waveform, or a pseudo-random waveform.