Field testing and evaluation of a solar-blind UV communication link for unattended ground sensors

Gary A. Shaw; Andrew M. Siegel; Joshua Model; Melissa Nischan

doi:10.1117/12.543152

1 September 2004 Field testing and evaluation of a solar-blind UV communication link for unattended ground sensors

Gary A. Shaw, Andrew M. Siegel, Joshua Model, Melissa Nischan

Proceedings Volume 5417, Unattended/Unmanned Ground, Ocean, and Air Sensor Technologies and Applications VI; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.543152
Event: Defense and Security, 2004, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

Non-line-of-sight ultraviolet (UV) communication technology to support unattended ground sensor communication is described. The concept exploits atmospheric scattering of ultraviolet light to achieve modest data rates under non line-of-sight (ground-to-ground) and obstructed line-of-sight (foliage penetration) conditions. The transmitter consists of a digitally modulated UV source and the receiver employs a sharp cutoff solar-blind absorption filter coupled to a channel photomultiplier module. Prototype semiconductor UV sources with center wavelengths in the solar blind region (<280nm) already offer higher power efficiency than lasers, along with advantages in size, simplicity, and flexibility relative to both lasers and traditional mercury sources. Once commercialized, semiconductor UV sources will also offer significant cost savings over traditional gas-discharge and solid-state UV sources. In this paper, the temporal and spectral properties of a number of prototype semiconductor UV sources are presented and compared to a low-pressure mercury vapor source. Efficient modulation and data coding methods compatible with the output characteristics of both sources are discussed, and measurements from recent test bed experiments are presented.

Citation Download Citation

Gary A. Shaw, Andrew M. Siegel, Joshua Model, and Melissa Nischan "Field testing and evaluation of a solar-blind UV communication link for unattended ground sensors", Proc. SPIE 5417, Unattended/Unmanned Ground, Ocean, and Air Sensor Technologies and Applications VI, (1 September 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.543152

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