Presented by, P.Anitha(08MCS204) Laser Communication Presented by, P.Anitha(08MCS204)

Introduction Laser communications systems are wireless connections through the atmosphere. Use Laser Beams to transmit information between two locations No fibres need, a wireless technology Communication over long distances, e.g. between planets Laser Communication Terminals (LCTs) transmit a laser beam and are capable of receiving laser beams 4/25/2017 Technical Seminar-II

How does it Work Signal Transmitter Laser Receiver Signal 4/25/2017 Technical Seminar-II

Laser Transmitter and Receiver 4/25/2017 Technical Seminar-II

A one-way Laser communication system. 4/25/2017 Technical Seminar-II

Laser Transmitter The transmitter involves: Signal processing electronics(analog/digital) Laser modulator Laser( Visible, near visible wavelengths) 4/25/2017 Technical Seminar-II

Modulation AM PWM PFM Easy with gas lasers,hard with diodes Potentially the highest bandwidth(>100kHz) 4/25/2017 Technical Seminar-II

Receiver The receiver involves: Telescope(‘antenna’) Signal processor Detector PIN diodes Avalanche Photo Diodes(APD) Single or multiple detectors 4/25/2017 Technical Seminar-II

Gain Systems Transmitter Receiver Maximum output power Minimum divergence Receiver Maximum lens area Clarity Tight focus on detector 4/25/2017 Technical Seminar-II

Laser Diode Laser Diodes include Photodiodes for feedback to insure consistent output 4/25/2017 Technical Seminar-II

Filters Sun shade over detector Shade in front of lens Detector spectral response Colored filters Absorb ~50% of available light Difficult to find exact frequency 4/25/2017 Technical Seminar-II

Mounting Systems Mounts and stands need only be as accurate as beam divergence Good laser diodes will be 1-2mR (milliRadian) A 32 pitch screw at the end of a 2' mount will yield 1mR per revolution. Since quarter turns (even eighth turns) are possible, this is more than accurate enough Higher thread pitches allow shorter mounts which may be more stable (against wind, vibration, wires) 1mR is 1.5 of divergence every 1000, 2000 etc. 4/25/2017 Technical Seminar-II

Security Aspects Free space laser communications systems have narrow optical beam paths, which are not accessible unless viewing directly into the transmitter path. Any potential eavesdropping will result in an inter-ruption of the data transmission. The existence of laser beams cannot be detected with spectrum ana-lyzers. 4/25/2017 Technical Seminar-II

Safety Aspects The free space laser communications systems do not require certification for handling or operation. Although the emitted laser beam is invisible to the unaided eye, it can cause eye damage if viewed directly at close range for extended periods of time 4/25/2017 Technical Seminar-II

Laser Communication System 4/25/2017 Technical Seminar-II

Laser Communication System Input: Digital data Direct or indirect modulation Source output passes through the optical system into the channel Optical system: transfer, beam shaping, telescope optics Receiver beam comes through optical system and passed to detectors and signal processing electronics 4/25/2017 Technical Seminar-II

System Characteristics Link parameters: Type of laser, wavelength, type of link Semiconductor laser diodes, solid state lasers, fiber amplifier lasers. Lasers operate in single or multiple longitudinal modes. Single longitudinal mode laser emits radiation at a single frequency Multiple longitudinal mode multiple frequencies are emitted 4/25/2017 Technical Seminar-II

Link parameters Semiconductor laser diodes Reliable operations as direct sources Operating in 800-900 nm range High efficiency of about 50% Small size Output power 4/25/2017 Technical Seminar-II

Link parameters Solid state lasers Higher power levels, high peak power mode Operating at 1064 nm Increase in complexity and reliability 4/25/2017 Technical Seminar-II

Link parameters Types of link: Acquiston Tracking Communications Acquiston time,false alarm rate,probability of detection Tracking Amount of error induced in the signal circuitry Communications Bit error rates 4/25/2017 Technical Seminar-II

Transmitter Parameters Laser characteristics, losses incurred in the transmit optical path, transmit antennae gain, transmit pointing losses. Laser characteristics peak and average optical power pulse rate pulse width 4/25/2017 Technical Seminar-II

Channel Parameters Consists of Range, associated loss background spectral radiance spectral irradiance 4/25/2017 Technical Seminar-II

Receiver Parameters The receiver parameters are the Receiver antenna gain proportional to the square of effective receiver diameter in meters and inversely proportional to the square of the wavelength. Receive optical path loss optical transmission loss for systems employing the direct detection techniques. Optical filter bandwidth the spectral width of the narrow band pass filter employed in optical inter satellite links Receiver field of view 4/25/2017 Technical Seminar-II

Advantages of Laser Communication Technology Higher data rates Compared to RF technology LC provides much higher data rates Higher data rates are essential as more and more data is moved between diff. locations Key Driver for investments in Laser Communication Technology High security regarding interception A focused laser beam is hard to intercept without notice Path to Quantum Cryptography 4/25/2017 Technical Seminar-II

Advantages of Laser Communication Technology Less frequency restrictions RF spectrum is crowed and heavily used Smaller aperture dimensions and thus reduced size and mass Less weight and power per bit Autonomous alignment agility resulting in less platform manoeuvres Less fuel or more flexibility 4/25/2017 Technical Seminar-II

Applications for Laser Communication Data Relay Services for UAVs UAV transmits its data to a GEO Stationary Satellite Data Relay Services for Satellites LEO Satellite transmit their data to a GEO Satellite Inter-Satellite Links Data Exchange between GEO/LEO Satellites Deep Space Data Transmissions Scientific data is transmitted down to Earth, e.g. Mars -> EarthGEO 4/25/2017 Technical Seminar-II

Situation Situation Demand for more information requires more and higher resolution sensors/cameras on UAVs Data transmission becomes the limiting factor to acquire and distribute information from UAV to Operation Center at diff. location RF solution reach data rate limits 4/25/2017 Technical Seminar-II

Problem, Need Problem Limited information is available to Operation Centers Information not available when needed as transmission time is a bottle neck Real-time decision making not possible or only limited possible Need Solution for higher data rate transmissions from UAV to Operation Center of long distances (span continents) 4/25/2017 Technical Seminar-II

Conclusions With the dramatic increase in the data handling requirements for satellite communication services, laser inter satellite links offer an attractive alternative to RF with virtually unlimited potential and an unregulated spectrum. The system and component technology necessary for successful inter satellite link exists today. 4/25/2017 Technical Seminar-II

References www.mindstein.net Laser communication.pdf www.bestneo.com Lasercommunicationsystem.pdf server4.oersted.dtu.dk/courses/31825/Project11.pdf www.freepatentsonline.com/4717828.html www.qsl.net/k7kw/DEMOS/LaserCommunications.ppt www.mseconference.org/.../mse03_2P_Uherek_Microoptoelectronicscurricula.pdf opticalcomm.jpl.nasa.gov/PAPERS/ATP/gospi03b.pdf 4/25/2017 Technical Seminar-II