Experimental demonstration of a self-tracking 16-aperture receiver telescope array for laser intersatellite communications

Andras Kalmar; Klaus H. Kudielka; Walter R. Leeb

doi:10.1117/12.308695

27 May 1998 Experimental demonstration of a self-tracking 16-aperture receiver telescope array for laser intersatellite communications

Andras Kalmar, Klaus H. Kudielka, Walter R. Leeb

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 3266, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies X; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.308695
Event: Optoelectronics and High-Power Lasers and Applications, 1998, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

An adaptive receive telescope array with 16 apertures has been designed and breadboarded. With respect to size and performance, such a telescope array is well suited for use as receive antenna in a coherent interorbit laser link. The laboratory demonstrator, designed to operate at a wavelength of (lambda) equals 1.064 micrometers, is completely independent of any subsequent receiver and of the data modulation format employed. The telescope array is self-phasing, i.e. the main lobe of the antenna pattern automatically follows the direction of the incident wave. It thus performs non- mechanical fine tracking. Our experimental setup comprises a subtelescope array and a digital control unit employing digital signal processors. Besides inertia-free tracking, the control unit also checks and, if necessary, restores parallel alignment of the subtelescope axes at regular intervals. Space-worthy concepts have been applied wherever possible, although experiments have been performed only in the laboratory. Automatic fine-tracking is achieved within a single subtelescope's field of view (30 (mu) rad) in the frequency range up to 730 Hz.

Citation Download Citation

Andras Kalmar, Klaus H. Kudielka, and Walter R. Leeb "Experimental demonstration of a self-tracking 16-aperture receiver telescope array for laser intersatellite communications", Proc. SPIE 3266, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies X, (27 May 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.308695

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available