Introducing TALOC (through-the-air link optical component): a free-space optical (FSO) communication system

William R. A. Ziegler; Ronald H. Smith; Stephen Roberson; Kelli Boyer; James Sutherland

doi:10.1117/12.3013590

10 June 2024 Introducing TALOC (through-the-air link optical component): a free-space optical (FSO) communication system

William R. A. Ziegler, Ronald H. Smith, Stephen Roberson, Kelli Boyer, James Sutherland

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 13037, Geospatial Informatics XIV; 1303708 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3013590
Event: SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, 2024, National Harbor, Maryland, United States

Abstract

4S – Silversword Software and Services, LLC (4S) is developing a novel, robust, Free Space Optical (FSO) communications technology entitled Through the Air Link Optical Component (TALOC), applicable for use on military aircraft, both manned and unmanned. The basic concept involves three components, a tracking and acquisition system, a dedicated communications system, and a retroreflector. Operations involve scanning the horizon with a fan of light, searching for a retro-reflection from another TALOC unit. Once a reflection of the scanning array is located, tracking begins by continued scanning around the spatial location of the acquired reflection. As soon as tracking is established, communications begins, utilizing a separate, dedicated, light source. Tracking continues throughout the communications period to ensure a solid connection and reduce dropouts. TALOC uses solid state scanning to facilitate tracking and acquisition. Figure 1 at right shows the next generation, multi-wavelength, TALOC concept.

Conference Presentation

(2024) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Citation Download Citation

William R. A. Ziegler, Ronald H. Smith, Stephen Roberson, Kelli Boyer, and James Sutherland "Introducing TALOC (through-the-air link optical component): a free-space optical (FSO) communication system", Proc. SPIE 13037, Geospatial Informatics XIV, 1303708 (10 June 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3013590

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