<title>Free-space laser communication systems: internationally and in Russia</title>

Abstract

This paper presents a brief review of developments in modern wireless communication technology--free-space laser communication--both for intersatellite and terrestrial applications, including some Russian designs. The character of the Russian intersatellite terminal is its modular design and excluding of almost all opto-electronic instruments out of optical module, with duplex transfer of optical signals between components through fiber-optic cables. Such a design reduces the weight of stirring parts significantly and facilitates alignment. As for terrestrial lasercom, several commercial systems are listed, and results of link availability calculations (for Moscow region weather conditions) are presented.