Optical telecommunications: performance of the protoflight model SILEX beacon

Michel Renard; Paul J. Dobie; C. Grodent; Pawel Woszczyk; Andre Sobeczko

doi:10.1117/12.238425

22 April 1996 Optical telecommunications: performance of the protoflight model SILEX beacon

Michel Renard, Paul J. Dobie, C. Grodent, Pawel Woszczyk, Andre Sobeczko

Proceedings Volume 2699, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies VIII; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.238425
Event: Photonics West '96, 1996, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

The beacon is a powerful non-coherent cw infra-red laser source which will provide a high divergence beam used during the first tracking acquisition sequence of the Spot 4/Artemis optical communication link. The beacon uses high efficiency anamorphic couplers to deliver output from 19 laser diodes into a single multi-mode mixing fiber, the exit of which is integrated at the focal plane of a collimator. Beacon output is maintained at the required level (nominally 8 KW/Sr) during unit life using an optical monitoring system and a beacon output tele-command. Following successful environmental testing, the proto-flight model (PFM) has recently been delivered ready for integration onto the SILEX terminal. This paper describes the overall performance of the PFM beacon with respect to SILEX requirements. An improved beacon using 1.2 W laser diodes which will be capable of delivering up to 17 KW/Sr is currently under construction. An analysis of the design aspects to be considered when using high power laser diodes in this type of application is presented. Finally, a brief summary is given of SPACEBEL activities associated with high power and more compact optical communication units for future missions.

Citation Download Citation

Michel Renard, Paul J. Dobie, C. Grodent, Pawel Woszczyk, and Andre Sobeczko "Optical telecommunications: performance of the protoflight model SILEX beacon", Proc. SPIE 2699, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies VIII, (22 April 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.238425

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