Abstract: An optical router configured to facilitate communication between a satellite communication constellation and a plurality of satellite nodes is provided. The optical router comprises an upstream interface configured to facilitate communication over an upstream communication link to the satellite communication constellation, a downstream interface configured to simultaneously communicate via a single optical aperture with the satellite nodes over a plurality of downstream optical communication links in different directions, the plurality of optical communication links being established, and a controller to direct operation of the optical router.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring relative velocities of platforms are provided. More particularly, light of a single wavelength is directed from a primary platform to a secondary platform as a probe signal. A shift in the frequency of the probe signal caused by a different relative velocity of the platforms is measured. The measurement is performed by using a heterodyne signal produced by mixing the return signal with light at a plurality of different, evenly spaced frequencies, provided from a local oscillator in the form of a frequency comb generator. This configuration enables precise measurements of relative velocity over wide range of velocities.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring displacements at the picometer level are provided. A system can include a Michelson interferometer having a fixed arm and a measurement arm. As the length of the measurement arm changes, the output supplied to the interferometer from a variable wavelength light source is changed until the intensity of the resulting inference pattern is maximized. The wavelength of the light at the point the interference pattern is maximized is then measured by mixing light from the light source with the output from a frequency comb generator. The resulting frequency measurement is then converted to a length measurement.