Pointing, acquisition, and tracking demonstration system for laser communications

Thomas H. Ebben; C. C. Varner; K. A. Parrish; Robert G. Marshalek; David L. Begley

doi:10.1117/12.238432

22 April 1996 Pointing, acquisition, and tracking demonstration system for laser communications

Thomas H. Ebben, C. C. Varner, K. A. Parrish, Robert G. Marshalek, David L. Begley

Proceedings Volume 2699, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies VIII; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.238432
Event: Photonics West '96, 1996, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

A laboratory development model (LDM) to demonstrate pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) as applied to laser communications would provide valuable data as to efficiencies of different communication scenarios and network concepts. Such a system was designed, constructed, and tested to perform the PAT functions and to measure the effects on an actual laser communication link. Three PAT concepts were investigated for simulation. The first is an open-loop, one-way system in which a single beam director points in a serial manner to a number of remote stations. Acquisition is accomplished by assuring that the transmitted beam is sufficiently broad to cover the region of uncertainty of the receiver and that the field of view of the staring receiver is sufficiently broad to cover the region of uncertainty of the transmitter. The second concept is a two-way link, also employing a single beam director. The concept is similar to the traditional point-to-point lasercom link, requiring mutual acquisition and tracking. The third concept involves two beam directors, allowing slewing and acquisition of a new station while simultaneously communicating with a previous station. When the slew is complete, a beam to the switch redirects the communication beam to the second beam director. The process may be repeated in a 'leapfrog' manner until all stations have been communicated. These concepts were demonstrated by LDM hardware through generation of the necessary computer code. Other networks can easily be simulated by changes in the software.

Citation Download Citation

Thomas H. Ebben, C. C. Varner, K. A. Parrish, Robert G. Marshalek, and David L. Begley "Pointing, acquisition, and tracking demonstration system for laser communications", Proc. SPIE 2699, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies VIII, (22 April 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.238432

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