2. Introduction
Laser communications systems are wireless connections
through the atmosphere.
Use Laser Beams to transmit information between two
locations
No fibres need, a wireless technology
Communication over long distances, e.g. between planets
Laser Communication Terminals (LCTs) transmit a laser beam
and are capable of receiving laser beams
4/1/2023 Technical Seminar-II 2
3. How does it Work
4/1/2023 Technical Seminar-II 3
Signal Transmitter Laser
Receiver Signal
5. A one-way Laser communication system.
4/1/2023 Technical Seminar-II 5
6. Laser Transmitter
The transmitter involves:
Signal processing electronics(analog/digital)
Laser modulator
Laser( Visible, near visible wavelengths)
4/1/2023 Technical Seminar-II 6
7. Modulation
AM
Easy with gas lasers,hard with diodes
PWM
PFM
Potentially the highest bandwidth(>100kHz)
4/1/2023 Technical Seminar-II 7
8. Receiver
The receiver involves:
Telescope(‘antenna’)
Signal processor
Detector
PIN diodes
Avalanche Photo Diodes(APD)
Single or multiple detectors
4/1/2023 Technical Seminar-II 8
9. Gain Systems
Transmitter
Maximum output power
Minimum divergence
Receiver
Maximum lens area
Clarity
Tight focus on
detector
4/1/2023 Technical Seminar-II 9
10. Laser Diode
Laser Diodes
include
Photodiodes for
feedback to insure
consistent output
4/1/2023 Technical Seminar-II 10
11. Filters
Sun shade over detector
Shade in front of lens
Detector spectral response
Colored filters
Absorb ~50% of available light
Difficult to find exact frequency
4/1/2023 Technical Seminar-II 11
12. Mounting Systems
Mounts and stands need only be as accurate as beam
divergence
Good laser diodes will be 1-2mR (milliRadian)
A 32 pitch screw at the end of a 2' mount will yield 1mR per
revolution. Since quarter turns (even eighth turns) are
possible, this is more than accurate enough
Higher thread pitches allow shorter mounts which may be
more stable (against wind, vibration, wires)
1mR is 1.5 of divergence every 1000, 2000 etc.
4/1/2023 Technical Seminar-II 12
13. Security Aspects
Free space laser communications systems have narrow optical
beam paths, which are not accessible unless viewing directly
into the transmitter path.
Any potential eavesdropping will result in an inter-ruption of
the data transmission.
The existence of laser beams cannot be detected with
spectrum ana-lyzers.
4/1/2023 Technical Seminar-II 13
14. Safety Aspects
The free space laser communications systems do not
require certification for handling or operation.
Although the emitted laser beam is invisible to the
unaided eye, it can cause eye damage if viewed directly
at close range for extended periods of time
4/1/2023 Technical Seminar-II 14
16. Laser Communication System
Input: Digital data
Direct or indirect modulation
Source output passes through the optical system into the
channel
Optical system: transfer, beam shaping, telescope optics
Receiver beam comes through optical system and
passed to detectors and signal processing electronics
4/1/2023 Technical Seminar-II 16
17. System Characteristics
Link parameters:
Type of laser, wavelength, type of link
Semiconductor laser diodes, solid state lasers,
fiber amplifier lasers.
Lasers operate in single or multiple longitudinal
modes.
Single longitudinal mode
laser emits radiation at a single frequency
Multiple longitudinal mode
multiple frequencies are emitted
4/1/2023 Technical Seminar-II 17
18. Link parameters
Semiconductor laser diodes
Reliable operations as direct sources
Operating in 800-900 nm range
High efficiency of about 50%
Small size
Output power
4/1/2023 Technical Seminar-II 18
19. Link parameters
Solid state lasers
Higher power levels, high peak power mode
Operating at 1064 nm
Increase in complexity and reliability
4/1/2023 Technical Seminar-II 19
20. Link parameters
Types of link:
Acquiston
Acquiston time,false alarm rate,probability of detection
Tracking
Amount of error induced in the signal circuitry
Communications
Bit error rates
4/1/2023 Technical Seminar-II 20
21. Transmitter Parameters
Laser characteristics, losses incurred in the
transmit optical path, transmit antennae gain,
transmit pointing losses.
Laser characteristics
peak and average optical power
pulse rate
pulse width
4/1/2023 Technical Seminar-II 21
23. Receiver Parameters
The receiver parameters are the
Receiver antenna gain
proportional to the square of effective receiver diameter in meters
and inversely proportional to the square of the wavelength.
Receive optical path loss
optical transmission loss for systems employing the direct detection
techniques.
Optical filter bandwidth
the spectral width of the narrow band pass filter employed in optical
inter satellite links
Receiver field of view
4/1/2023 Technical Seminar-II 23
24. Advantages of Laser Communication
Technology
Higher data rates
Compared to RF technology LC provides much higher data rates
Higher data rates are essential as more and more data is moved between
diff. locations
Key Driver for investments in Laser Communication Technology
High security regarding interception
A focused laser beam is hard to intercept without notice
Path to Quantum Cryptography
4/1/2023 Technical Seminar-II 24
25. Advantages of Laser Communication
Technology
Less frequency restrictions
RF spectrum is crowed and heavily used
Smaller aperture dimensions and thus reduced size and mass
Less weight and power per bit
Autonomous alignment agility resulting in less platform
manoeuvres
Less fuel or more flexibility
4/1/2023 Technical Seminar-II 25
26. Applications for Laser
Communication
Data Relay Services for UAVs
UAV transmits its data to a GEO Stationary Satellite
Data Relay Services for Satellites
LEO Satellite transmit their data to a GEO Satellite
Inter-Satellite Links
Data Exchange between GEO/LEO Satellites
Deep Space Data Transmissions
Scientific data is transmitted down to Earth, e.g. Mars -> EarthGEO
4/1/2023 Technical Seminar-II 26
27. Situation
Situation
Demand for more information requires more and higher resolution
sensors/cameras on UAVs
Data transmission becomes the limiting factor to acquire and distribute
information from UAV to Operation Center at diff. location
RF solution reach data rate limits
4/1/2023 Technical Seminar-II 27
28. Problem, Need
Problem
Limited information is available to Operation Centers
Information not available when needed as transmission time
is a bottle neck
Real-time decision making not possible or only limited
possible
Need
Solution for higher data rate transmissions from UAV to
Operation Center of long distances (span continents)
4/1/2023 Technical Seminar-II 28
29. Conclusions
With the dramatic increase in the data handling
requirements for satellite communication services, laser
inter satellite links offer an attractive alternative to RF
with virtually unlimited potential and an unregulated
spectrum.
The system and component technology necessary for
successful inter satellite link exists today.
4/1/2023 Technical Seminar-II 29