Abstract: A free space line of site communication system for communicating between a first destination and a second destination includes a constellation of airborne platforms in a train-like formation, each travelling at a constant speed and distance relative to each other. Each of the airborne platforms includes: one or more inter-airborne platform optical or RF transceivers for communication with a previous and a next neighboring airborne platforms, wherein each inter-airborne platform transceiver is capable of adjusting its velocity to keep a constant speed and distance relative to its neighboring airborne platforms, and one or more up/down link transceivers for communication with multiple ground sites, each ground site having two or more ground optical or RF transceivers. A first airborne platforms closest to the first destination communicates with the first destination and a second airborne platforms closest to the second destination communicates with the second destination.

Abstract: A free space line of site communication system for communicating between a first destination and a second destination includes a constellation of airborne platforms in a train-like formation, each travelling at a constant speed and distance relative to each other. Each of the airborne platforms includes: one or more inter-airborne platform optical or RF transceivers for communication with a previous and a next neighboring airborne platforms, wherein each inter-airborne platform transceiver is capable of adjusting its velocity to keep a constant speed and distance relative to its neighboring airborne platforms, and one or more up/down link transceivers for communication with multiple ground sites, each ground site having two or more ground optical or RF transceivers. A first airborne platforms closest to the first destination communicates with the first destination and a second airborne platforms closest to the second destination communicates with the second destination.

Abstract: A free space optical communication system (100) and method including a constellation of several satellites (102). Each of satellites including: several inter-satellite optical telescopes (204) for optical communication with multiple neighboring satellites, each inter-satellite optical telescope is capable of adjusting its elevation angle to accommodate changes in the number of satellites in the constellation; and several up/down link optical telescopes (206) for optical communication with multiple ground sites, where each ground site has several ground optical telescopes. As the constellation passes a given ground site, some of the up/down-link telescopes of a given satellite are configured to track at least two respective ground optical telescopes of the given ground site and send data to the ground optical telescope with the clearest line of sight to the given satellite.

Abstract: A free space optical communication system (100) and method including a constellation of several satellites (102). Each of satellites including: several inter-satellite optical telescopes (204) for optical communication with multiple neighboring satellites, each inter-satellite optical telescope is capable of adjusting its elevation angle to accommodate changes in the number of satellites in the constellation; and several up/down link optical telescopes (206) for optical communication with multiple ground sites, where each ground site has several ground optical telescopes. As the constellation passes a given ground site, some of the up/down-link telescopes of a given satellite are configured to track at least two respective ground optical telescopes of the given ground site and send data to the ground optical telescope with the clearest line of sight to the given satellite.

Abstract: A free space optical communication system (100) and method including: several optical beam expanders (414) for receiving incoming optical signals from ground sites and neighboring satellites; several optical preamplifiers (412) for preamplifying the received optical signals; one or more optical main amplifiers (404) for amplifying the preamplified optical signals; and an optical switch (408) for directing respective amplified optical signals to respective destinations via a respective optical beam expander. The respective amplified optical signals are inputted to a respective optical beam expander (414) for transmission to said respective destinations, as outgoing optical signals.

Abstract: A free space optical communication system (100) and method including a constellation of several satellites (102). Each of satellites including: several inter-satellite optical telescopes (204) for optical communication with multiple neighboring satellites, each inter-satellite optical telescope is capable of adjusting its elevation angle; and several up/down link optical telescopes (206) for optical communication with multiple ground sites. As the constellation passes a given ground site, some of the up/down-link telescopes of a given satellite are configured to track at least two respective ground optical telescopes of the given ground site and send data to the ground optical telescope with the clearest line of sight to the given satellite. Moreover, each of the satellites includes optical circuitry (208, 210, 212, 216) for optically processing and switching incoming and outgoing optical signals without converting the optical signals into electrical signals.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a satellite communication system including a first transceiver and a second transceiver geographically fixed on the earth, and a first satellite configured to communicate with the first transceiver through a first link. The system further includes a second satellite configured to communicate with the second transceiver through a second link and communicate with the first satellite through a laser communication crosslink. The first satellite and the second satellite are at a low earth orbit or medium earth orbit below the geostationary earth orbit of approximately 36000 km.

Abstract: A free space optical communication system (100) and method including a constellation of several satellites (102). Each of satellites including: several inter-satellite optical telescopes (204) for optical communication with multiple neighboring satellites, each inter-satellite optical telescope is capable of adjusting its elevation angle; and several up/down link optical telescopes (206) for optical communication with multiple ground sites. As the constellation passes a given ground site, some of the up/down-link telescopes of a given satellite are configured to track at least two respective ground optical telescopes of the given ground site and send data to the ground optical telescope with the clearest line of sight to the given satellite. Moreover, each of the satellites includes optical circuitry (208, 210, 212, 216) for optically processing and switching incoming and outgoing optical signals without converting the optical signals into electrical signals.

Abstract: A free space optical communication system (100) and method including: several optical beam expanders (414) for receiving incoming optical signals from ground sites and neighboring satellites; several optical preamplifiers (412) for preamplifying the received optical signals; one or more optical main amplifiers (404) for amplifying the preamplified optical signals; and an optical switch (408) for directing respective amplified optical signals to respective destinations via a respective optical beam expander. The respective amplified optical signals are inputted to a respective optical beam expander (414) for transmission to said respective destinations, as outgoing optical signals.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a satellite communication system including a first transceiver and a second transceiver geographically fixed on the earth, and a first satellite configured to communicate with the first transceiver through a first link. The system further includes a second satellite configured to communicate with the second transceiver through a second link and communicate with the first satellite through a laser communication crosslink. The first satellite and the second satellite are at a low earth orbit or medium earth orbit below the geostationary earth orbit of approximately 36000 km.

Abstract: A compact, high numerical aperture, high resolution, ultra-wide field of view concentric scanning optical sensor. In a most general embodiment, the inventive optical arrangement (10) includes an at least semi-spherical lens (14) having a base; a reflective surface (16) centered at a center of said base and parallel thereto; and an array (20) of detectors dispose to receive electromagnetic energy received through said lens and reflected by said surface. In the illustrative embodiment, the semi-spherical lens is a ball lens (14). The reflective surface is aspheric and designed to effect aberration correction. A mechanism (19) is included for rotating the ball lens (14) causing the system to scan. A dome lens (18) is disposed over the ball lens and concentric therewith. Electromagnetic energy is received through the dome and ball lenses and reflected by the mirror to the detector array. A field lens assembly (21) is disposed between the detectors and the mirror.

Abstract: A compact, high numerical aperture, high resolution, ultra-wide field of view concentric scanning optical sensor. In a most general embodiment, the inventive optical arrangement (10) includes an at least semi-spherical lens (14) having a base; a reflective surface (16) centered at a center of said base and parallel thereto: and an array (20) of detectors dispose to receive electromagnetic energy received through said lens and reflected by said surface. In the illustrative embodiment, the semi-spherical lens is a ball lens (14). The reflective surface is aspheric and designed to effect aberration correction. A mechanism (19) is included for rotating the ball lens (14) causing the system to scan. A dome lens (18) is disposed over the ball lens and concentric therewith. Electromagnetic energy is received through the dome and ball lenses and reflected by the mirror to the detector array. A field lens assembly (21) is disposed between the detectors and the mirror.