Abstract: A system and method of free-space optical satellite communications includes a ground station and transceiver for transmitting and receiving an optical communications signal. Adaptive optics at the ground station are operative with the transceiver for determining the shape of any distortions in the wavefront of the optical communications signal and compensating at the ground station for the distortions. A satellite includes a transceiver for transmitting and receiving the optical communications signal and includes adaptive optics for determining the shape of any distortions in the waveform of the optical communications signal and compensating at the satellite for the distortions.

Abstract: A system for processing an optical signal into a plurality of optical output signals includes a laser for generating an optical signal along an optical signal path. An optical splitter receives the optical signal and includes an input optical fiber and a stepped, optical splitter circuit formed from a plurality of laser ion doped optical waveguides branching into a plurality of output optical signals. An optical pump source pumps an optical pump signal through the stepped, optical splitter circuit and excites the erbium to distribute gain throughout the optical splitter.

Abstract: The scan pattern of a raster scan video display system is modified to provide a sinusoidal raster scan, so that derived scan lines made up of pixels of adjacent scan lines are generated to enhance vertical scene resolution. A sinusoidal deflection circuit and microdeflection yoke produce the desired waveform, and a distortion compensation circuit corrects for distortions of the desired waveform.