Status of SDIO/IS&T lasercom testbed program

Eric J. Korevaar; Scott H. Bloom; Kevin D. Slatnick; Victor J. Chan; Irene H. Chen; Michael D. Rivers; Carrey Foster; Kyunam Choi; C. S. Liu

doi:10.1117/12.149249

6 August 1993 Status of SDIO/IS&T lasercom testbed program

Eric J. Korevaar, Scott H. Bloom, Kevin D. Slatnick, Victor J. Chan, Irene H. Chen, Michael D. Rivers, Carrey Foster, Kyunam Choi, C. S. Liu

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 1866, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies V; (1993) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.149249
Event: OE/LASE'93: Optics, Electro-Optics, and Laser Applications in Scienceand Engineering, 1993, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

Laser satellite networking is a key element of effective communications operations to support both strategic and tactical missions. Lasercom offers a number of important advantages over conventional RF satellite communications. The shorter wavelength available using lasers provides higher data rates at less power and smaller apertures, both resulting in lower weight requirements. On the other hand, lasercom entails more difficulty in acquisition and tracking because of the narrow beams used. Technology problems to be overcome before intersatellite laser communications can reliably outperform RF communications include acquisition in the presence of significant background light from the earth, tracking to resolutions of a few microradians, high speed modulation of semiconductor lasers with close to one watt of power in a diffraction limited beam, high bandwidth low noise detector response, and demonstrated long term performance. We have developed critical technologies to solve some of these problems, and demonstrated them in a laboratory testbed which also supports development and testing of network protocols and algorithms. Our hardware provides new capability in background light rejection by using innovative atomic line filter technology, improved tracking accuracy by using innovative zero backlash Roto-Lok drive gimbal telescopes, and increased communications bandwidth by incorporating multi-link networking protocols.

Citation Download Citation

Eric J. Korevaar, Scott H. Bloom, Kevin D. Slatnick, Victor J. Chan, Irene H. Chen, Michael D. Rivers, Carrey Foster, Kyunam Choi, and C. S. Liu "Status of SDIO/IS&T lasercom testbed program", Proc. SPIE 1866, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies V, (6 August 1993); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.149249

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