Laser communications via an atmospheric link
Abstract
It is pointed out that interest in communications by laser over either an atmospheric or free space link has existed in the Air Force since the early 70's. The Laser Communications (LaserCom) program is currently in a test and demonstration phase. The Airborne Flight Test System (AFTS) developed in connection with LaserCom is discussed. The transmitter terminal is on board a modified C-135 aircraft. The receiver terminal is located on the ground. The demonstration range is up to 100 km in an altitude window of 33,000-37,000 ft. The airborne laser is a Nd:YAG which operates pulsed, mode-locked, and frequency doubled. The operating wavelength is 5320 A. Typical output power is 150 mW, linearly polarized. The pump source is a potassium arc-type lamp, driven at 250 W. The lamp is recognized as the limiting lifetime component of the system.
- Publication:
-
NTC 1980; National Telecommunications Conference, Volume 2
- Pub Date:
- 1980
- Bibcode:
- 1980ntc.....2...27M
- Keywords:
-
- Airborne Equipment;
- Atmospheric Optics;
- Data Links;
- Flight Tests;
- Laser Applications;
- Optical Communication;
- C-135 Aircraft;
- Channel Capacity;
- Laser Outputs;
- Light Modulation;
- Linear Polarization;
- Pulsed Lasers;
- Space Communication;
- Yag Lasers;
- Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command and Tracking