Abstract: A free-space optical (FSO) terminal may include a controller and an alignment sensor. The alignment sensor includes a set of detectors. Each detector generates a signal responsive to receiving electromagnetic radiation at a detection surface. The set of detectors includes an inner set of detectors and an outer set of detectors. The detection surfaces of the inner detectors and the outer detectors may be aligned in a plane. The outer set of detectors surround the inner set of detectors (e.g., in the plane) and have larger detection surfaces than the inner set of detectors. During a tracking mode, the controller is configured to adjust an orientation of the FSO terminal based on signals from the inner set of detectors. During an acquisition mode, the controller is configured to adjust the orientation of the FSO terminal based on signals from the outer set of detectors.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a free space optical (FSO) terminal that transmits and receives optical beams. The FSO terminal includes a fore optic and a rotatable dispersive optical component. A receive (Rx) optical beam from the remote FSO communication terminal is received through the fore optic, and a transmit (Tx) optical beam is transmitted through the fore optic. The dispersive optical component is positioned along the optical paths of both the Rx and Tx optical beams. Since the Rx and Tx optical beams have different wavelengths and the dispersive optical component has a wavelength dependence, the dispersive optical component creates an angular separation between the Rx and Tx optical beams. The controller controls the rotational position of the dispersive optical component (and possibly also the wavelength of the Tx optical beam) to achieve a desired angular separation between the Rx and Tx optical beams.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a free space optical (FSO) terminal that transmits and receives (e.g., data-encoded) optical beams. The FSO terminal includes a fore optic (e.g., telescope) and a chromatic Risley prism pair. A receive (Rx) optical beam is received through the fore optic, and a transmit (Tx) optical beam is transmitted through the fore optic. The chromatic Risley prism pair is positioned along the optical paths of both the Rx and Tx optical beams. Since the Rx and Tx optical beams have different wavelengths and the chromatic Risley prism pair has a wavelength dependence, the chromatic Risley prism pair creates an angular separation between the Rx and Tx optical beams. A controller controls the Risley prism pair (and possibly also the wavelength of the Tx optical beam) to achieve a desired angular separation between the Rx and Tx optical beams in free space.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for free space optical communication. An example device may comprise an optical beam separator configured to separate a first optical path into a receiving (Rx) optical path for signals received from free space and a transmitting (Tx) optical path for signals being transmitted into free space. The example device may comprise at least one positioner coupled to one or more of the Rx optical path or the Tx optical path. The example device may comprise a controller configured to control the at least one positioner to adjust one or more of the Rx optical path or the Tx optical path to facilitate communication with a remote communication device via free space.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a free space optical (FSO) terminal that transmits and receives optical beams. The FSO terminal includes a fore optic and a rotatable dispersive optical component. A receive (Rx) optical beam from the remote FSO communication terminal is received through the fore optic, and a transmit (Tx) optical beam is transmitted through the fore optic. The dispersive optical component is positioned along the optical paths of both the Rx and Tx optical beams. Since the Rx and Tx optical beams have different wavelengths and the dispersive optical component has a wavelength dependence, the dispersive optical component creates an angular separation between the Rx and Tx optical beams. The controller controls the rotational position of the dispersive optical component (and possibly also the wavelength of the Tx optical beam) to achieve a desired angular separation between the Rx and Tx optical beams.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a local free space optical (FSO) terminal that transmits and receives optical beams. The FSO terminal includes a fore optic and a dispersive optical component. A receive (Rx) optical beam from a remote FSO terminal is received and focused by the fore optic to a Rx spot at a focal plane of the fore optic. A transmit (Tx) optical beam with a different wavelength forms a Tx spot at the focal plane and is collimated and projected by the fore optic to the remote FSO terminal. The dispersive optical component is positioned along optical paths of both the Rx beam and the Tx beam. Among other advantages, a wavelength dependence of the dispersive optical component laterally separates the Rx spot and the Tx spot at the focal plane.

Abstract: A free-space optical (FSO) terminal may include a controller and an alignment sensor. The alignment sensor includes a set of detectors. Each detector generates a signal responsive to receiving electromagnetic radiation at a detection surface. The set of detectors includes an inner set of detectors and an outer set of detectors. The detection surfaces of the inner detectors and the outer detectors may be aligned in a plane. The outer set of detectors surround the inner set of detectors (e.g., in the plane) and have larger detection surfaces than the inner set of detectors. During a tracking mode, the controller is configured to adjust an orientation of the FSO terminal based on signals from the inner set of detectors. During an acquisition mode, the controller is configured to adjust the orientation of the FSO terminal based on signals from the outer set of detectors.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a free space optical (FSO) terminal that transmits and receives optical beams. The FSO terminal includes a fore optic and a rotatable dispersive optical component. A receive (Rx) optical beam from the remote FSO communication terminal is received through the fore optic, and a transmit (Tx) optical beam is transmitted through the fore optic. The dispersive optical component is positioned along the optical paths of both the Rx and Tx optical beams. Since the Rx and Tx optical beams have different wavelengths and the dispersive optical component has a wavelength dependence, the dispersive optical component creates an angular separation between the Rx and Tx optical beams. The controller controls the rotational position of the dispersive optical component (and possibly also the wavelength of the Tx optical beam) to achieve a desired angular separation between the Rx and Tx optical beams.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a local free space optical (FSO) terminal that transmits and receives optical beams. The FSO terminal includes a fore optic, an optical relay system, and an actuator system. The fore optic focuses a receive (Rx) beam to a Rx spot on a focal plane of the fore optic. The focal plane also includes a Tx spot formed by a transmit (Tx) optical beam, however the Rx and Tx spots are laterally separated at the focal plane. The optical relay system creates a conjugate spot for the Rx or Tx spot so that the Rx and Tx fibers may be axially separated. Due to the axial separation, the actuator system can adjust a lateral separation of the Rx and Tx fibers to account for point ahead of the local FSO communication terminal.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a local free space optical (FSO) terminal that transmits and receives optical beams. The FSO terminal includes a fore optic, an optical relay system, and an actuator system. The fore optic focuses a receive (Rx) beam to a Rx spot on a focal plane of the fore optic. The focal plane also includes a Tx spot formed by a transmit (Tx) optical beam, however the Rx and Tx spots are laterally separated at the focal plane. The optical relay system creates a conjugate spot for the Rx or Tx spot so that the Rx and Tx fibers may be axially separated. Due to the axial separation, the actuator system can adjust a lateral separation of the Rx and Tx fibers to account for point ahead of the local FSO communication terminal.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a local free space optical (FSO) terminal that transmits and receives optical beams. The FSO terminal includes a fore optic and a dispersive optical component. A receive (Rx) optical beam from a remote FSO terminal is received and focused by the fore optic to a Rx spot at a focal plane of the fore optic. A transmit (Tx) optical beam with a different wavelength forms a Tx spot at the focal plane and is collimated and projected by the fore optic to the remote FSO terminal. The dispersive optical component is positioned along optical paths of both the Rx beam and the Tx beam. Among other advantages, a wavelength dependence of the dispersive optical component laterally separates the Rx spot and the Tx spot at the focal plane.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a free space optical (FSO) communication terminal. The terminal includes an optical source and optics. The optical source can produce optical beams at different wavelengths. The optics direct optical beams in a direction towards a remote FSO communication terminal. A wavelength dependence of the optics results in a divergence of the optical beam that depends on a wavelength of the optical beam. A controller may control the wavelength of the optical beam produced by the optical source, thereby adjusting the divergence of the optical beam (e.g., according to an acquisition process or a tracking process).

Abstract: Described is a free space optical (FSO) node capable of communicating with a remote FSO node. The FSO node includes a Tx/Rx subassembly that is capable of simultaneously receiving and transmitting light carrying data, detecting the position/orientation of the received light signals, and aligning the Tx/Rx subassembly to account for misalignments with remote node. The Tx/Rx subassembly includes a central fiber for transmitting and receiving the optical signals so that the signal data can be processed. The Tx/Rx subassembly also includes a bundle of fibers that circumscribe the central fiber and receive a portion of received light signals to detect the position/orientation of the received light signals and align the FSO node with a remote FSO node.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a high power supercontinuum (SC) fiber optical source. The SC fiber optical source includes a prebroadening optical fiber that broadens the spectrum of a lower power intermediate optical signal before final amplification. The spectrum broadening creates spectral components which facilitate further spectrum broadening of amplified signal in final nonlinear stage, allowing to achive flatter and wider spectrum, and reduces nonlinear Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) that could damage SC fiber optical source components or limit the output power of the SC fiber optical source signal, thus enabling higher output power. After amplification in booster, passing at least part of broadened spectrum, the optical signal spectrum is further broadened by injecting the optical signal into a nonlinear stage to create a SC optical signal.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a high power supercontinuum (SC) fiber optical source. The SC fiber optical source includes a prebroadening optical fiber that broadens the spectrum of a lower power intermediate optical signal before final amplification. The spectrum broadening creates spectral components which facilitate further spectrum broadening of amplified signal in final nonlinear stage, allowing to achieve flatter and wider spectrum, and reduces nonlinear Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) that could damage SC fiber optical source components or limit the output power of the SC fiber optical source signal, thus enabling higher output power. After amplification in booster, passing at least part of broadened spectrum, the optical signal spectrum is further broadened by injecting the optical signal into a nonlinear stage to create a SC optical signal.

Abstract: Described is a free space optical (FSO) node capable of communicating with a remote FSO node. The FSO node includes a Tx/Rx subassembly that is capable of simultaneously receiving and transmitting light carrying data, detecting the position/orientation of the received light signals, and aligning the Tx/Rx subassembly to account for misalignments with remote node. The Tx/Rx subassembly includes a central fiber for transmitting and receiving the optical signals so that the signal data can be processed. The Tx/Rx subassembly also includes a bundle of fibers that circumscribe the central fiber and receive a portion of received light signals to detect the position/orientation of the received light signals and align the FSO node with a remote FSO node.

Abstract: Described is a free space optical (FSO) node capable of communicating with a remote FSO node. The FSO node includes a Tx/Rx subassembly that is capable of simultaneously receiving and transmitting light carrying data, detecting the position/orientation of the received light signals, and aligning the Tx/Rx subassembly to account for misalignments with remote node. The Tx/Rx subassembly includes a central fiber for transmitting and receiving the optical signals so that the signal data can be processed. The Tx/Rx subassembly also includes a bundle of fibers that circumscribe the central fiber and receive a portion of received light signals to detect the position/orientation of the received light signals and align the FSO node with a remote FSO node.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments described herein include a bi-directional Free Space Optical (FSO) communication unit that may be used in a multi-node FSO communication system. The bi-directional FSO unit may include a co-boresighted optical unit such that received and transmitted beams are coincident through a common aperture. Embodiments described herein may be used to correct or accommodate the alignment errors of the received and transmitted beams.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments described herein include a bi-directional Free Space Optical (FSO) communication unit that may be used in a multi-node FSO communication system. The bi-directional FSO unit may include a co-boresighted optical unit such that received and transmitted beams are coincident through a common aperture. Embodiments described herein may be used to correct or accommodate the alignment errors of the received and transmitted beams.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments described herein include a bi-directional Free Space Optical (FSO) communication unit that may be used in a multi-node FSO communication system. The bi-directional FSO unit may include a co-boresighted optical unit such that received and transmitted beams are coincident through a common aperture. Embodiments described herein may be used to correct or accommodate the alignment errors of the received and transmitted beams.