Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a method of adjusting a plurality of phase shifters of an OPA. The method may include identifying a plurality of subsets of phase shifters of the plurality of phase shifters based on an orthogonal set of functions; performing a plurality of dithers iteratively on the plurality of subsets of phase shifters of the plurality of phase shifters using the same frequency; determining a plurality of corrections based on a plurality of outputs of the OPA, each output resulting from each of the plurality of dithers; and adjusting the plurality of subsets of phase shifters of the plurality of phase shifters using the plurality of corrections, the adjustment resulting in at least one set of corrected phase shifter values.

Abstract: A free-space optical communication system includes an optical phased array (OPA) photonic integrated chip, a transceiver photonic integrated chip, and one or more processors. The OPA chip includes a plurality of array elements and a plurality of phase shifters. The transceiver chip includes one or more transmitter components and one or more receiver components. The one or more processors are configured to transmit a first signal via the OPA chip and the transceiver chip, and receive a second signal via the OPA chip and the transceiver chip.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a method of adjusting a plurality of phase shifters of an OPA. The method may include identifying, by one or more processors, one or more first subsets of phase shifters of the plurality of phase shifters based on an orthogonal set of functions; performing, by the one or more processors, one or more first dithers on the one or more first subsets of phase shifters of the plurality of phase shifters using one or more first frequencies of a predetermined set of frequencies; determining, by the one or more processors, one or more first corrections based on a first power output of the OPA resulting from the one or more first dithers; and adjusting, by the one or more processors, the one or more first subsets using the one or more first corrections, the adjustment resulting in a first set of corrected phase shifter values.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a system including a first optical communications terminal comprising. The first optical communications terminal may include a common aperture for transmitting signals and receiving signals. The first optical communications terminal may also include an optical phased array (OPA) architecture including a micro-lens array including a plurality of micro-lenses. Each micro-lens of the plurality of micro-lenses may have a plurality of concentric grooves arranged on a respective surface of that micro-lens. The OPA architecture may be configured for bidirectional communication with a second optical communications terminal.

Abstract: The technology relates to free-space optical communication systems that correct for errors in tracking and pointing accuracy to maintain connection integrity. Such systems can both proactively and reactively correct for errors in tracking performance and pointing accuracy of terminals within the system. An aspect includes receiving information indicative of at least one external disturbance associated with a communication device. A determination is made for a proactive estimation indicative of a first error associated with an effect of the at least one external disturbance at a current timestep. A determination is made for a reactive estimation indicative of a second error associated with the effect of the at least one external disturbance at a previous timestep. A final control signal is determined based on the proactive estimation and the reactive estimation. A controller is able to actuate an optical assembly of the communication device based on the determined final control signal.

Abstract: The technology relates to free-space optical communication systems that correct for errors in tracking and pointing accuracy to maintain connection integrity. Such systems can both proactively and reactively correct for errors in tracking performance and pointing accuracy of terminals within the system. An aspect includes receiving information indicative of at least one external disturbance associated with a communication device. A determination is made for a proactive estimation indicative of a first error associated with an effect of the at least one external disturbance at a current timestep. A determination is made for a reactive estimation indicative of a second error associated with the effect of the at least one external disturbance at a previous timestep. A final control signal is determined based on the proactive estimation and the reactive estimation. A controller is able to actuate an optical assembly of the communication device based on the determined final control signal.

Abstract: A communication device is provided that estimates one or more disturbance values associated with one or more components of the communication device, and adjusts the communication device to change a received power of the output signal. The communication device includes a transmitter having a seed laser configured to provide an amount of bandwidth for an output signal, an Erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) configured to increase an amplitude of the output signal, and a single mode variable optical attenuator (SMVOA) configured to decrease the amplitude of the output signal.