Work

Optimal Design of Small-Aperture Optical Terminals for Free-Space Links

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: We present the generalised design of low-complexity, small-aperture optical terminals intended for kilometre-scale, terrestrial, free-space laser links between fixed and dynamic targets. The design features single-mode fibre coupling of the free-space beam, assisted by a fast-steering, tip/tilt mirror that enables first-order turbulence suppression and fine target tracking. The total power throughput over the free-space link and the scintillation index in fibre are optimised. The optimal tip/tilt correction bandwidth and range, aperture size, and focal length for a given link are derived using analytical atmospheric turbulence modelling and numerical simulations.

Source: Photonics

DOI: 10.3390/photonics11111035

Authors: Alex Frost, Benjamin Dix-Matthews, Shane Walsh, David Gozzard, Sascha Schediwy

Institutions: The University of Western Australia, International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research

Language: English

Topic: Optical Wireless Communication Technologies

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,728

Funders: Australian Government, Cooperative Research Centres, Australian Government Department of Industry, Government of Western Australia