Assessment of eye hazard associated with an optical downlink in free-space laser communications

Morio Toyoshima; Takashi Jono; Toshihiko Yamawaki; Keizo Nakagawa; Akio Yamamoto

doi:10.1117/12.430783

20 June 2001 Assessment of eye hazard associated with an optical downlink in free-space laser communications

Morio Toyoshima, Takashi Jono, Toshihiko Yamawaki, Keizo Nakagawa, Akio Yamamoto

Proceedings Volume 4272, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies XIII; (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.430783
Event: Photonics West 2001 - LASE, 2001, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

An optical downlink is a method for high data-rate communication for downloading data acquired by a satellite to terrestrial networks. However, directing a laser beam at the ground may not be safe for the eyes of human observers when such irradiance is higher than the maximum permissible exposure (MPE). The MPE is an index of acceptable irradiance for eye safety as a function of the duration that human eyes are exposed to a laser beam. The hazard level of free-space laser communication systems should be examined with regard to eye safety. The probability that irradiance exceeds the MPE can be considered statistically based on the characteristics of the laser tracking and transmission system in the acquisition and tracking phases. As an example, the probabilities calculated from the results of a thermal vacuum test with the laser communications terminal onboard the OICETS satellite were used to assess the risk of impairing eye safety. As a result, the irradiance of the laser beam directed from the satellite to the ground can be evaluated relative to the permissible irradiance level for the eyes of general human observers.

Citation Download Citation

Morio Toyoshima, Takashi Jono, Toshihiko Yamawaki, Keizo Nakagawa, and Akio Yamamoto "Assessment of eye hazard associated with an optical downlink in free-space laser communications", Proc. SPIE 4272, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies XIII, (20 June 2001); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.430783

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