Abstract: An optical circuit breaker includes a main optical transmission path including an optical coupler, a delay line and a protection device, and a parallel protection path configured to receive a tapped portion of a signal provided to the main optical transmission path and generate a reference signal based on the tapped portion. The protection device may be configured to be triggered to prevent an overpower condition from passing through the optical circuit breaker responsive to the reference signal exceeding a user selectable threshold. The delay line may be configured to have a longer delay than a time it takes for the protection device to be triggered via the parallel protection path.

Abstract: A detection system includes a photonic module, a radio frequency (RF) module and processing circuitry. The photonic module may be configured to generate an optical tone for modulation in an optical domain prior to conversion to the RF domain. The RF module may be configured to interface with the photonic module to receive a transmission signal converted from the optical domain. The processing circuitry may be configured to interface with the photonic module and RF module to enable an operator to control of the photonic module and the RF module at least with respect to selectively determining a carrier frequency of the optical tone and a modulation technique to be employed with respect to the transmission signal converted from the optical domain.

Abstract: An optical circuit breaker includes a main optical transmission path including an optical coupler, a delay line and a protection device, and a parallel protection path configured to receive a tapped portion of a signal provided to the main optical transmission path and generate a reference signal based on the tapped portion. The protection device may be configured to be triggered to prevent an overpower condition from passing through the optical circuit breaker responsive to the reference signal exceeding a user selectable threshold. The delay line may be configured to have a longer delay than a time it takes for the protection device to be triggered via the parallel protection path.

Abstract: A universal optical receiver may include an optical channel monitor configured to acquire spectral data for an optical signal on at least one selected optical channel, a tunable local oscillator configured to be tuned to a center frequency of the optical signal on the at least one selected optical channel, a storage device configured to store data associated with the optical signal responsive to acquisition of the spectral data and tuning of the tunable local oscillator, and processing circuitry configured to execute an algorithm that employs a plurality of binary distinctions based on physical characteristics of the optical signal and employs at least one calculation of figure of merit associated with a series of parameter values of the optical signal to identify a format of the optical signal.

Abstract: A universal optical receiver may include an optical channel monitor configured to acquire spectral data for an optical signal on at least one selected optical channel, a tunable local oscillator configured to be tuned to a center frequency of the optical signal on the at least one selected optical channel, a storage device configured to store data associated with the optical signal responsive to acquisition of the spectral data and tuning of the tunable local oscillator, and processing circuitry configured to execute an algorithm that employs a plurality of binary distinctions based on physical characteristics of the optical signal and employs at least one calculation of figure of merit associated with a series of parameter values of the optical signal to identify a format of the optical signal.

Abstract: A detection system includes a photonic module, a radio frequency (RF) module and processing circuitry. The photonic module may be configured to generate an optical tone for modulation in an optical domain prior to conversion to the RF domain. The RF module may be configured to interface with the photonic module to receive a transmission signal converted from the optical domain. The processing circuitry may be configured to interface with the photonic module and RF module to enable an operator to control of the photonic module and the RF module at least with respect to selectively determining a carrier frequency of the optical tone and a modulation technique to be employed with respect to the transmission signal converted from the optical domain.

Abstract: A communications system for wireless transceiving of information, comprising at least one multiple optical beam scanning array transceiver located in a satellite for wirelessly transceiving the information; and at least two terminals at diverse locations capable of wirelessly transceiving the information between the terminals and the satellite, and an apparatus for determining atmospheric conditions for use in adjusting the multiple beam scanning array transceiver parameters.

Abstract: A communications system for wireless transceiving of information, comprising at least one multiple optical beam scanning array transceiver located in a satellite for wirelessly transceiving the information; and at least two terminals at diverse locations capable of wirelessly transceiving the information between the terminals and the satellite, and an apparatus for determining atmospheric conditions for use in adjusting the multiple beam scanning array transceiver parameters.

Abstract: A communications system for wireless transceiving of information, comprising an optical array subsystem for transceiving optical signals and a millimeter wave subsystem for transceiving millimeter wave signals, and a beam steering controller for controlling the direction of the optical and millimeter wave signals. The communication system may be on a flying platform, such as a satellite and may communicate with multiple remote terminals.

Abstract: Techniques for establishing a free-space optical communications link between a local terminal and a remote terminal include determining that a remote terminal is within a wide field of view associated with a micromechanical mirror in a local terminal. The risk of an undesirable effect which imposes a performance or security problem is also determined to occur within the wide field of view. The micromechanical mirror is pointed by including the remote terminal within a narrow field of view that is narrower than the wide field of view, and by reducing the risk that the undesirable effect is within the narrow field of view.

Abstract: A communications system for wireless transceiving of information, comprising at least one multiple beam scanning array transceiver located in a satellite for wirelessly transceiving the information; and at least two terminals at diverse locations capable of wirelessly transceiving the information between the terminals and the satellite. The multiple beam scanning array transceiver can be optically based, and contain micro-mirrors or optical switches. Also disclosed is an apparatus for determining atmospheric conditions for use in adjusting the multiple beam scanning array transceiver parameters.