Laser relay for free space optical communications

Abstract

A laser relay module for free space optical communications including an optical telescope for receiving and transmitting optical beams; an optical diplexer for separating transmitting and received optical beams; an optical amplifier; a modulated beacon laser for line of sight control of a plurality of communicating remote network nodes; a beacon beam detector for detecting an incoming beacon optical beam for line of sight control of the optical telescope and receiving data from other network nodes; and means for inserting an output of the modulated beacon laser into the optical telescope for transmission to another network node, and for transporting the incoming beacon optical beam to the beacon detector.

Description

technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a laser relay for free space optical communication. Background technique

[0002] Due to the increasing global demand for high-speed data exchange, there is currently an increasing need for laser networks and laser communication between nodes of these networks. For example, the use of the global Internet continues to increase at high rates in developing countries around the world. However, many emerging business centers near the equator suffer from poor connectivity to the Internet. These centers of commerce are often located in countries with only limited national high-bandwidth network infrastructure, and are sometimes surrounded by hostile neighbors or harsh terrain that makes terrestrial and submarine cable connections infeasible.

[0003] However, there is still a continuing need for high-bandwidth connectivity to the Internet in these countries. Most of the fastest growing markets are near the equator and difficult to ...

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