A prototype coarse pointing mechanism for laser communication

Eric D. Miller; Michael DeSpenza; Ilya Gavrilyuk; Graham Nelson; Brent Erickson; Britney Edwards; Ethan Davis; Tony Truscott

doi:10.1117/12.2264086

24 February 2017 A prototype coarse pointing mechanism for laser communication

Eric D. Miller, Michael DeSpenza, Ilya Gavrilyuk, Graham Nelson, Brent Erickson, Britney Edwards, Ethan Davis, Tony Truscott

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 10096, Free-Space Laser Communication and Atmospheric Propagation XXIX; 100960S (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2264086
Event: SPIE LASE, 2017, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Laser communication systems promise orders-of-magnitude improvement in data throughput per unit SWaP (size, weight and power) compared to conventional RF systems. However, in order for lasercom to make sense economically as part of a worldwide connectivity solution, the cost per terminal still needs to be significantly reduced. In this paper, we describe a coarse pointing mechanism that has been designed with an emphasis on simplicity, making use of conventional materials and commercial off-the-shelf components wherever possible. An overview of the design architecture and trades is presented, along with various results and practical lessons learned during prototype integration and test.

Citation Download Citation

Eric D. Miller, Michael DeSpenza, Ilya Gavrilyuk, Graham Nelson, Brent Erickson, Britney Edwards, Ethan Davis, and Tony Truscott "A prototype coarse pointing mechanism for laser communication", Proc. SPIE 10096, Free-Space Laser Communication and Atmospheric Propagation XXIX, 100960S (24 February 2017); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2264086

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