Bidirectional Free-space Optical Link Research Articles

A Novel 60 Gbps Bidirectional Free Space Optical Link Based on a Single Laser Source

A Novel 60 Gbps Bidirectional Free Space Optical Link Based on a Single Laser Source

Experimental Mitigation of Atmospheric Turbulence Effect Using Pre-Signal Combining for Uni- and Bi-Directional Free-Space Optical Links With Two 100-Gbit/s OAM-Multiplexed Channels

In this paper, we experimentally demonstrate the mitigation of atmospheric turbulence effects using phase patterns that apply the inverse transmission matrix for pre-compensation in the 200-Gbit/s free-space orbital angular momentum (OAM) multiplexed optical link. In this link, two OAM channels are multiplexed, each carrying a 100-Gbit/s quadrature-phase shift keying (QPSK) signal. In the uni-directional (forward) link, a combination of two OAM modes is generated using a designed phase pattern in each of the two channels. After the two channels are multiplexed, each OAM mode will carry the combination of signals from both channels. Such beams could perform the inverse function of turbulence-induced crosstalk. We explore the link performances including crosstalk and bit error rate (BER) under 6 different turbulence realizations with a Fried parameter of 1-mm. We find the following: (a) the inter-channel crosstalk is reduced by up to 21 dB; (b) the inter-channel crosstalk is below −10 dB for the 6 turbulence realizations when the compensation is applied; (c) a BER below the FEC limit could be realized for the 6 turbulence realizations with an optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) of 16.8 dB for the uni-directional link with the compensation. Moreover, the post-compensation is also investigated for the two 100-Gbit/s OAM-multiplexed backward channels in the bi-directional link. For the backward channels, the phase patterns are used to mitigate turbulence-induced crosstalk at the receiver for backward channels, and the inter-channel crosstalk is reduced by up to 16 dB.

MEMS tracking mirror system for a bidirectional free-space optical link.

We report on a bidirectional free-space optical system that is capable of automatic connection and tracking of an optical link between two nodes. A piezoelectric micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) optical scanner is used to steer a laser beam of two wavelengths superposed to visually present a communication zone, to search for the position of the remote node by means of the retro-reflector optics, and to transmit the data between the nodes. A feedback system is developed to control the MEMS scanner to dynamically establish the optical link within a 10-ms transition time and to keep track of the moving node.

Adaptive-optics-based simultaneous pre- and post-turbulence compensation of multiple orbital-angular-momentum beams in a bidirectional free-space optical link

As a recently explored property of light, orbital angular momentum (OAM) has potential in enabling multiplexing of multiple data-carrying beams, to increase the transmission capacity and spectral efficiency of a communication system. For the use of OAM multiplexing in free-space optical (FSO) communications, atmospheric turbulence presents a critical challenge. In this paper, we experimentally demonstrate simultaneous pre- and post-turbulence compensation of multiple OAM beams, in a bidirectional free-space optical communications link, using a single adaptive optics (AO) system. Each beam carries a 100 Gbit/s signal, and propagates through an emulated atmospheric turbulence. A specifically designed AO system, which utilizes a Gaussian beam for wavefront sensing and correction, is built at one end of the bidirectional link. We show that this AO system can be used to not only post-compensate the received OAM beams, but also pre-compensate the outgoing OAM beams emitted from the same link end. Experimental results show that this compensation technique helps reduce the crosstalk onto adjacent modes by more than 12 dB, achieving bit error rates below the forward error correction limit of 1×10−3, for both directions of the link. The results of work might be helpful to future implementation of OAM multiplexing, in a high-capacity FSO bidirectional link affected by atmospheric turbulence.

Enhanced correlation of received power-signal fluctuations in bidirectional optical links

A study of the correlation between the power signals received at both ends of bidirectional free-space optical links is presented. By use of the quasi-optical approximation, we show that an ideal (theoretically 100%) power-signal correlation can be achieved in optical links with specially designed monostatic transceivers based on single-mode fiber collimators. The theoretical prediction of enhanced correlation is supported both by experiments conducted over a 7 km atmospheric path and wave optics numerical analysis of the corresponding bidirectional optical link. In the numerical simulations, we also compare correlation properties of received power signals for different atmospheric conditions and for optical links with monostatic and bistatic geometries based on single-mode fiber collimator and on power-in-the-bucket transceiver types. Applications of the observed phenomena for signal fading mitigation and turbulence-enhanced communication link security in free-space laser communication links are discussed.

Free-space optical communication link across 16 kilometers over the Chesapeake Bay to a modulated retroreflector array

This paper presents the results of a successful bidirectional free-space optical link across 16 km to a modulated retroreflector array. The link was implemented at the Naval Research Laboratory's Chesapeake Bay Detachment laser test range. A 6-W cw 1550-nm class 1 M interrogation beam was used to illuminate an array of three modulated cat's-eye retroreflectors located on a tower across the Chesapeake Bay on Tilghman Island. The modulated retroreflectors had a diameter of 16 mm and were arranged in a triangular pattern with a spacing of 30 cm. The interrogating terminal employed a 100-µrad divergence and a high-speed pointing and tracking system to maintain link alignment. Link testing occurred over 12 days in the months of September, October, and November of 2006. Topics presented in this paper include the link scenario for the 16-km free-space optical link, the link budget, and terminal designs, as well as link acquisition and performance. Link performance results presented include data transmission throughput, scintillation data, and pointing and tracking results.