Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing high throughput connectivity between multiple network nodes, such as satellites in Earth orbit or ground stations, using a multi-access free space optical communications transceiver. The transceiver includes a focal plane assembly with an array of moveable optical fibers or fiber bundles, multi-core fibers, or a combination thereof. Each optical fiber bundle may include a centrally-located data fiber with guide fibers disposed around the data fiber. A controller may align a tip of the data fiber with a focal spot associated with incoming optical signals based on measured power levels of optical signals received in the guide fibers. The data fiber may be a multi-mode fiber (MMF) and circuitry in the transceiver may couple signals from the MMF into separate single-mode fibers (SMF) and then coherently combine signals from the SMFs.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing high throughput connectivity between multiple network nodes, such as satellites in Earth orbit or ground stations, using a multi-access free space optical communications transceiver. The transceiver includes a focal plane assembly with an array of moveable optical fibers or fiber bundles, multi-core fibers, or a combination thereof. Each optical fiber bundle may include a centrally-located data fiber with guide fibers disposed around the data fiber. A controller may align a tip of the data fiber with a focal spot associated with incoming optical signals based on measured power levels of optical signals received in the guide fibers. The data fiber may be a multi-mode fiber (MMF) and circuitry in the transceiver may couple signals from the MMF into separate single-mode fibers (SMF) and then coherently combine signals from the SMFs.