Atmospheric optical data transmission system

Abstract

A free-space optical data transmission system, comprised of first and second transceivers spaced a substantial distance from each other and having telescopes aimed at each other. Each transceiver has a light transmitter for transmitting data-encoded light from its telescope to the other telescope, and a light receiver for receiving the data-encoded light from the other telescope. Each transceiver has a wavefront sensor for determining the curvature of the wavefront of light transmitted between the telescopes, which light wavefront may be distorted by atmospheric aberrations, a deformable curvature mirror operably connected to the wavefront sensor and positioned in the path of the data-encoded light for modifying the wavefront curvature of the data-encoded light in response to the wavefront curvature determined by the wavefront sensor. Preferably, each transceiver has an arrangement for distinguishing / separating the transmitted and received light waves for bi-directional data transmission.

Description

technical field [0001] This invention relates to optical data transmission systems in which light waves transmit data through the atmosphere, and more particularly to such systems in which varying atmospheric conditions are compensated for without loss of data transmission. Background technique [0002] The need for rapid growth in data transfer and the infrastructure to complete the data transfer. Although the use of optical fibers has increased the capacity and efficiency of data transmission, however, increased data transmission has required high costs and difficulties in continuously adding fiber optic infrastructure. Although there have been experiments and attempts to expand data transmission systems by utilizing light waves through free space in the atmosphere, the accuracy and reliability of such atmospheric optical data transmission experiments and attempts have been frustrated by inevitable changes in atmospheric conditions. Scattering and overall attenuation of l...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Although the use of optical fiber has increased the capacity and efficiency of data transmission, however, increased data transmission has required high costs and difficulties in continuously adding fiber optic infrastructure

although there have been experiments and attempts to expand data transmission systems by utilizing light waves through atmospheric free space, the accuracy and reliability of such atmospheric optical data transmission experiments and attempts have been frustrated by inevitable changes in atmospheric conditions

Scattering and overall attenuation of light beams by dust, smoke, and rain, for example, can interfere with or block the transmission of light waves from one place to another, while other atmospheric conditions, such as high winds, heat waves, etc., cause changing image Poor, thus seriously affecting the wavefront of the received light wave, thereby reducing the quality of data transmission

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