Evaluation of a novel FSO receiver for mitigating alignment errors

Sarah Spaunhorst; Peter G. LoPresti; Stephen Pondelik; Hazem Refai

doi:10.1117/12.817328

2 May 2009 Evaluation of a novel FSO receiver for mitigating alignment errors

Sarah Spaunhorst, Peter G. LoPresti, Stephen Pondelik, Hazem Refai

Proceedings Volume 7324, Atmospheric Propagation VI; 73240H (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.817328
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2009, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

In order to track, acquire and maintain a free-space optical link between mobile platforms experiencing misalignment due to movement and atmospheric turbulence requires a different approach than traditional free-space optical transceivers. Recently, an investigation of alternative receiver configurations found that a small focal length lens combined with larger core fibers significantly expanded the range of angular and translational misalignments tolerated by the receiver. The trade-off for this increased misalignment tolerance was a smaller receiving area, typical of short focal length lenses, which limited the collected power. This paper investigates a novel approach using a lens array coupled to an array of large-core fibers in an effort to maximize both misalignment tolerance and optical power collected. The approach is evaluated on the key parameters of maximum allowable lateral, allowable angular misalignment, and collected power for both collimated and divergent beams. Both experimental and theoretical analyses of the system are presented to characterize the system performance. The investigation finds that the lens array provides superior performance over a single lens combined with a fiber bundle.

Citation Download Citation

Sarah Spaunhorst, Peter G. LoPresti, Stephen Pondelik, and Hazem Refai "Evaluation of a novel FSO receiver for mitigating alignment errors", Proc. SPIE 7324, Atmospheric Propagation VI, 73240H (2 May 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.817328

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