Automating a lasercomm terminal on a small unmanned aerial platform

W. R. Smith IV; H. R. Burris; M. J. Vilcheck; C. I. Moore; L. L. Summers; L. M. Thomas

doi:10.1117/12.921303

23 May 2012 Automating a lasercomm terminal on a small unmanned aerial platform

W. R. Smith IV, H. R. Burris, M. J. Vilcheck, C. I. Moore, L. L. Summers, L. M. Thomas

Proceedings Volume 8380, Atmospheric Propagation IX; 838005 (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.921303
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2012, Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Abstract

The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) is developing a small lasercomm terminal for both direct lasercomm and communication to a modulated retroreflector (MRR). A gimbal from Cloud Cap Technology serves as the terminal positioner, which is to be integrated onto a small, unmanned airborne vehicle. Software was developed to allow the terminal to automatically acquire and track ground terminals and manage the lasercomm payload. This software turns the terminal into a completely autonomous lasercom system, able to travel well outside the communications range of its base station and collect data from ground terminals with no user intervention. Data from boat testing will be presented to show pointing accuracies as well as automatic acquisition and tracking of static targets.

Citation Download Citation

W. R. Smith IV, H. R. Burris, M. J. Vilcheck, C. I. Moore, L. L. Summers, and L. M. Thomas "Automating a lasercomm terminal on a small unmanned aerial platform", Proc. SPIE 8380, Atmospheric Propagation IX, 838005 (23 May 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.921303

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