High bitrate free-space communicator using automatic nonlinear all-optical beam tracking

Alexander E. Dudelzak; Alexander Sergeevich Kuzhelev; Daniel Gratton; Louis Hotte; Yoshinori Arimoto

doi:10.1117/12.593779

18 April 2005 High bitrate free-space communicator using automatic nonlinear all-optical beam tracking

Alexander E. Dudelzak, Alexander Sergeevich Kuzhelev, Daniel Gratton, Louis Hotte, Yoshinori Arimoto

Proceedings Volume 5712, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies XVII; (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.593779
Event: Lasers and Applications in Science and Engineering, 2005, San Jose, California, United States

Abstract

The paper presents the results of experimental study of an optical-beam tracking concept involving two systems based on different principles. One is all-optical tracking, which utilizes a nonlinear optical material providing automatic fine-tracking feature. Another is traditional opto-mechanical technology using a quadrant avalanche detector, a voice coil-mirror actuator, control electronics, and computer interface. The possibility of establishing automatic mutual tracking between two communicating parties without involving computer-aided beam addressing has been experimentally proven. Capabilities and limitations of both systems are described. The all-optical system performs better than the traditional one when it tracking laser beam angular disturbances of magnitude of a few mrad and the jitter frequency is high (≥100 Hz). The traditional opto-mechanical system shows higher efficiency at lower jitter frequencies. A combination of an all-optical fine-tracking module and an opto-mechanical coarse tracking module is suggested for applications where using our originally proposed all-optical approach for both coarse and fine beam steering / tracking would be less efficient.

Citation Download Citation

Alexander E. Dudelzak, Alexander Sergeevich Kuzhelev, Daniel Gratton, Louis Hotte, and Yoshinori Arimoto "High bitrate free-space communicator using automatic nonlinear all-optical beam tracking", Proc. SPIE 5712, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies XVII, (18 April 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.593779

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