SA PHOTONICS, LLC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N142-095

Description

Free Space Optical (FSO) communications provide numerous advantages over traditional RF based wireless systems including high data rates, long link distances, low probability of interception and detection, resistance to jamming, and low Size Weight and Power. These advantages are however hampered by the challenges of operating through the atmosphere which creates scintillation and absorption that can disrupt the communication link. For FSO links operating upon vehicles travelling at high velocities, additional challenges are introduced by aero-optical effects due to plane generated turbulence, which creates distortion that further impairs the communication link. For military applications, a key advantage of FSO communication links are their ability to operate through RF denied environments. In such cases, RF communications are disabled and FSO links will allow continuous and robust communication. However, RF denied environments present challenges for many FSO systems that rely on RF links for initial acquisition. To address the needs of the Navy, SA Photonics is pleased to propose the development of the RapidEye FSO system. RapidEye will utilize SA Photonics field proven technology for atmospheric on-the-move FSO systems. RapidEye is specifically designed to provide high data rate communication for supersonic aircraft such as the F/A-18 and F-35.