Size, weight, and power trends in laser crosslinks

Daniel E. Driemeyer; Amos J. Chenoweth; Douglas W. Dreisewerd; Steve Lambert; Tim Morris; William Casey

doi:10.1117/12.149235

6 August 1993 Size, weight, and power trends in laser crosslinks

Daniel E. Driemeyer, Amos J. Chenoweth, Douglas W. Dreisewerd, Steve Lambert, Tim Morris, William Casey

Proceedings Volume 1866, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies V; (1993) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.149235
Event: OE/LASE'93: Optics, Electro-Optics, and Laser Applications in Scienceand Engineering, 1993, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

With ever increasing improvements in the technologies which support direct detection laser crosslinks, projections for even smaller, lighter, and lower power crosslinks are realistic. The rapid increase in diffraction-limited laser power is one of the main drivers for the trend toward smaller, more efficient terminals. Most particularly, the power summing of multiple high power laser diodes and the parallel trend toward higher power single diode sources is yielding projected powers in excess of several watts. This rapid increase in diode power coupled with long life enables a reduction in crosslink aperture with resultant simplicity in acquisition, pointing, and tracking requirements as well as a reduction in terminal size, weight, and power. Based on projected improvements in laser power and efficiency, detector sensitivity, electronics size and efficiency, and terminal simplicity, the physical characteristics of advanced terminals are projected. A fifty pound, direct detection terminal operating over 84,000 km synch to synch range at 10 Mbps is projected as being realistic by the end of this decade. In addition, higher data rate and longer range terminal characteristics are projected. The rationale for the projections is discussed.

Citation Download Citation

Daniel E. Driemeyer, Amos J. Chenoweth, Douglas W. Dreisewerd, Steve Lambert, Tim Morris, and William Casey "Size, weight, and power trends in laser crosslinks", Proc. SPIE 1866, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies V, (6 August 1993); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.149235

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