SBIR-STTR Award

This proposal shall determine the feasibility of providing a dedicated and secure optical communication link between naval aircraft and an aviation capable ship while concurrently optically tracking the approaching aircraft from the ship. Concepts employ laser transmitters in the 3-5 pm region at eye safe irradiance levels over an operational range of 6000 m to 15 m. Both tracking and communication subsystems are expected to function under adverse weather conditions. There are five objectives. First, requirements are defined for optically tracking and communicating with an aircraft from a ship. Next, two general concepts are advanced: one is a shipboard transceiver that both tracks and communicates with an aircraft equipped with a modulated retroreflector; the other concept replaces the retroreflector with a full transceiver. The third objective analyzes both concepts from a communications and tracking standpoint. Tracking shall determine both aircraft angle-angle and range information. Communication links shall transmit voice, command, and data. The fourth objective defines selection criteria, performs trades to down-select among concepts, and determines the most viable configuration. Lastly, the recommended concept is defined sufficiently to enable a follow-on detailed design and prototype fabrication.

Keywords:
Laser Communication Wireless Communication Modulated Retroreflector Optical Tracking

Two devices resulting from this work will enable a low probability of intercept, line of sight, mid-wave infrared communication link while simultaneously optically tracking aircraft from aircraft capable ships. the new modulatable retro-reflector (MRR) device eliminates the need for a laser transceiver on one end of a free-space optical communication link while providing the capability to receive and transmit voice and telemetry. The new dual function shipboard device is both a laser radar for range and speed measurements and a laser communication terminal for two-way voice and data relay. The two devices together provide a reduced complexity, real time, optical tracking and communication system which is eye-safe and operates under reduced visibility weather conditions. The system will perform to 6 kilometers, provide range resolution to 1 meter, and speed measurement to 1 m/s at 20 Hz update rates. The MRR is highly compact, lightweight, and rugged.

Keywords:
Laser Communications, Laser Ranging, Modulatable Retro-Reflector, Ladar, Optical Tracking, Wireless