"Free-space laser communications: a historical perspective"

Abstract

To understand the history of free-space laser communications or lasercom one must do so in the context of the development of the technology in general and the different programs and players over the years. It is noted that the term lasercom was actually put under copy write by McDonnell Douglas in the early '80s but has been used extensively in the industry to refer to free-space laser communications, free-space optical communications, and an array of other names. Lasercom was one of the very first applications proposed for laser technology in the early '60s. However the difficulty in getting the technology inserted in operational systems has been greater than envisioned by the early pioneers. One constant problem has been the availability of reliable components. Early on every fundamental building block had to be developed before a communication system could be demonstrated. These elements included laser sources, detectors, high speed modulators and demodulators, high speed electronics, high accuracy pointing components, high quality interface optics and telescopes, high stability mechanical structures, and on and on. Although the challenges of the past have been in the development of components and integration of those elements into a working design, perhaps the challenge of today is how to provide a product that meets customer expectations at a price that is willing to be paid and the identification of a mission need that can not be met by any other technology.