Laser Communications for UAV Operations

1. Harnessing Laser Communications for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Greg Fulmer George Mason University Information Technology

2. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Remotely Operated Military and Civil Use Vary In Size 60 Hour Flight Times 65,000 ft. Altitudes Ground Control Station

3. Issues With UAV Communications Radio Waves HF/VHF/UHF SATCOM Speed Bandwidth Interference

4. Hypothesis Optical, or laser, communications can be implemented into UAV operations in order to provide faster signals and higher bandwidth rates.

5. Laser Communications Short wavelength = high frequency = high energy Greater bandwidths Maritime environments Deep space OICETS and LUCE

6. Disadvantages of Laser Comm. Line of site vs. over the horizon Precision pointing

7. Research Design – Step 1 Establish laser link between UAV and GCS Equipment needed: Predator MQ-1 Ground Control Station Test flight while monitoring systems

8. Research Design – Step 2 Establish laser link with test satellite and GCS Equipment needed: OICETS and LUCE Space Chamber GCS Monitor systems

9. Research Design – Step 3 Combine previous tests Equipment needed Predator MQ-1 Ground Control Station Orbiting OICETS satellite w/ LUCE system Test flights while monitoring systems

11. Questions?