Free Laser Communication In Space

SUBMITTED BY P.PRANEETH KUMAR

08R31A568

What Is Laser Communication?

Laser communications systems are wireless connections through the atmosphere. They work similarly to fiber optic links, except the fact that, in lasers, beam is transmitted through free space.

Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation

Free Space Laser Communication

Transmitting information via a laser beam
Video Data Sound

Terrestrial / Space based systems

010001100110 111011001111 001010000010 101110010001 111001011011

How Does it Work?

Signal

Transmitter Receiver Signal laser

Laser

What is the Transmitter?

The

transmitter involves:

Signal processing electronics (analog/digital) Laser modulator Laser (visible, near visible wavelengths)

Laser Diode
Laser Diodes include Photodiodes for feedback to insure consistent output.

What is the Receiver?

The

receiver involves:

Telescope (referred to as antenna) Signal processor Detector

-PIN diodes

-Avalanche Photo Diodes (APD) -Single or multiple detectors

Often both ends will be equipped with a receiver and transmitter

Why Laser Communication?

Current high speed communications

technology:
Radio Fiber Optics

Receive area = 200 cm2

Receiver sensitivity
Beam Divergence = 3 mrad

Distance = 1km Transmit Power Diameter = 3 m Beam area = 70686 cm2

Why not Fiber Optics?

Not always possible to lay fiber lines Satellites Combat zones Physically / Economically not practical Emergencies

LC being incorporated into fiber optic

networks when fiber is not practical.

Why not RF?

Bandwidth
for Laser Communication (LC) is 100 times greater

than for RF.

Power
in LC is directed at target, so much less

transmission power required. Also the power loss is less.

Size / Weight
LC antenna is much smaller than RF.

Security
Due to low divergence of laser beam, LC is more

Current Applications
Defense

and sensitive areas. At airports for communication across the runways. Mass communication
400

TV channels 40,000 phone conversations

NASA

Satellite - satellite Earth - satellite

Earth

Bits

Bit Encoder to Symbol

LASER

Transfer Optics

Channel (Atmos.)

Error Correction Bits

Symbol Recovery

Amplifier

Receiving Optics

Applications
Transmit

voice for miles line-of-sight Use weak signal modes for cloud scatter Transmit video with cheap pens Transmit high speed data without WEP Blind flies for easy extermination

CONCLUSION
Laser communication in space has long been a goal for NASA because it would enable data transmission rates that are 10 to 1,000 times higher than traditional radio waves. While lasers and radio transmissions both travel at lightspeed, lasers can pack more data. It's similar to moving from a dial-up Internet connection to broadband. Astronomers could use lasers like very accurate rulers to measure the movement of planets with unprecedented precision.