SBIR-STTR Award

The objective of the project is to develop a small, very-high bandwidth optical communications link for the Navy ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore applications. AOptix Technologies has developed a novel Free Space Optical communication system that uses Adaptive Optics to dynamically correct atmospheric aberrations that result from turbulence and scintillation. By correcting these optical distortions, AOptix is able to build multi-gigabit, all-optical, long-range FSO systems. These FSO systems are inherently secure because the light beam is precisely controlled and collimated to fill the receiver aperture. AOptix Technologies will adapt its terrestrial FSO system to meet the Navy’s requirements for a long-range, high-speed, secure, compact communications technology.

AOptix Technologies proposes to build and demonstrate a laser communication system that uses adaptive optics to mitigate atmospheric turbulence. Lasercom systems require accurate pointing capability to direct the narrow optical beam and compensate for platform vibration and jitter. In AOptix lasercom systems, adaptive optics (AO) techniques are employed to accomplish this as well as compensate for atmospheric scintillation, another factor critical to successful system operation. In Phase I, a prototype unit was demonstrated operating 10 miles across Chesapeake Bay. Phase II objectives include increasing the closed-loop bandwidth of the AO system to improve performance and link budget. Semi-automated beam acquisition and tracking functionality will also be a significant addition to the system capability. These developments will be accomplished by new designs at both the component and system level. Ship simulation tests and transmission over long distances will be included in the testing program.

Keywords:
LASER COMMUNICATIONS, LASERCOM, FREE SPACE OPTICS, FSO, ADAPTIVE OPTICS, SCINTILLATION, BEAM ACQUISITION, BEAM TRACKING