Increased capacity demands and radio frequency (RF) congestion impacts on current communication networks have brought greater attention to free-space optical (FSO) communication as a viable augmentation technology for terrestrial, aerial, and space-based communication infrastructure. As a complementary alternative to RF communication systems, FSO can support high link bandwidths and provide high data security without RF spectral constraints. The performance of FSO links, however, can be significantly impacted by receive power variation caused by propagation and scattering losses along with losses due to atmospheric turbulence. Depending on the FSO application, these loss mechanisms can dynamically change, impacting link performance at different time scales. We investigate subcarrier phase-shift keying (PSK) and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) intensity modulation that can be adapted to dynamically changing link conditions to optimize bandwidth utilization. Using custom subcarrier intensity modulation (SIM) modems, the performance of binary PSK (BPSK), QPSK, 8PSK, 16APSK, and 16-QAM waveforms is reported. The impact of adaptive equalization is also characterized, and the initial performance of a subcarrier multiplexed system is presented. This work represents the first experimental evaluation of SIM waveforms using a laboratory scintillation playback system based on scintillation recorded over real-world propagation paths.
As satellite constellations continue to expand and capacity demands grow, free-space optical (FSO) communication offers a complementary alternative to RF systems for low-Earth-orbit satellite communication networks. FSO systems can support higher link bandwidths and provide high data security without RF spectral constraints. The performance of FSO-LEO links, however, can be significantly impacted by receive power variation caused by propagation and scattering losses along with losses due to atmospheric turbulence. Here, we investigate intensity modulated, direct detection (IM/DD) digital waveforms that can be adapted to dynamically changing link conditions to optimize bandwidth utilization. Using a laboratory scintillation playback system, the performance of BPSK, QPSK, and 8PSK waveforms will be presented and compared to theoretical modelling. The impact of adaptive equalization will be characterized and initial performance of a multi-channel IM/DD architecture will be presented.
For low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite communication networks, free space optical (FSO) communication offers high data capacity and security without the spectrum limitations of more conventional RF approaches. However, receive signal power in FSO-LEO links can be highly variable based on multiple dynamic loss mechanisms occurring at different time scales. As a LEO pass moves from higher to lower elevation angles, propagation and scattering losses can vary by more than 10dB over a timescale of minutes. Separately, signal fading caused by atmospheric turbulence can also contribute greater than 10dB variation except at a much faster timescale on the order of milliseconds. Rather than implementing a modulation scheme based on the worst case link margin for a given FSO-LEO link, here we consider intensity modulated, direct detection (IM/DD) digital waveforms that can be dynamically adapted to the changing link conditions to provide increased bandwidth efficiency. In this work, we describe the development of IM/DD waveform modems and a waveform characterization test-bed which incorporates a scintillation playback system. BPSK, QPSK, 8PSK, and 16- QAM waveform performance will be presented under varying scintillation profiles.
For terrestrial free space optical (FSO) communication applications, large area photodetectors not only allow for more efficient power coupling but also ease the effects of atmospheric turbulence. When fabricated in array form, these devices have the added capability of operating as both data reception sensors and position sensitive detectors (PSD). Concentric five element impact ionization engineered (I2E) avalanche photodetector (APD) arrays have been developed to operate as combinational sensors at gigabit data rates. While the excellent sensitivity performance of these detectors allows for enhanced link range in calm atmospheric conditions, link availability with a high quality of service for an FSO system is strongly impacted by its ability to dynamically counter-act atmospheric fading with varying temporal scale. In this paper we present initial results using a combinational sensor in tandem with an advanced FSO modem which utilizes low-density parity check coding (LDPC) in an incremental redundancy (IR) hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) protocol. System performance enhancements as function of varying atmospheric scintillation will be discussed.
Photodetectors in free space optical communication systems perform two functions: reception of data communication signals and position sensing for pointing, tracking, and stabilization. Traditionally, the optical receive path in an FSO system is split into separate paths for data detection and position sensing. The need for separate paths is a consequence of conflicting performance criteria between position sensitive detectors (PSD) and data detectors. Combining the functionality of both detector types requires that the combinational sensor not only have the bandwidth to support high data rate communication but the active area and spatial discrimination to accommodate position sensing. In this paper we present a large area, concentric five element impact ionization engineered avalanche photodiode array rated for bandwidths beyond 1GHz with a measured carrier ionization ratio of less than 0.1 at moderate APD gains. The integration of this array as a combinational sensor in an FSO system is discussed along with the development of a pointing and stabilization algorithm.
We describe and present experimental results for two optical control techniques for phased array antennas. The first technique is based on interferometric heterodyning of two narrow- linewidth YAG lasers for the generation of required microwave signal and for simultaneous steering of the radiated beam. The constructed system is simple and well-suited for narrowband applications, and it may be built without any active mechanical components. The measured radiated antenna patterns are in close agreement with the predicted ones. The second technique is a novel and elegant method for implementing a true time-delay function for optical control. It relies on using a wavelength-tunable laser to provide the optical carrier for the microwave signal and a fiber-optic prism--a set of equal delay fibers with differing net dispersion. The relative interelement time-delay (beam angle) adjustment is accomplished by tuning the optical carrier wavelength. The experimental results obtained on a compact antenna range clearly demonstrate beam-steering and true time-delay operation over a two-octave bandwidth.
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