Operation of a diode-based direct detection laser crosslink through solar crossing

One of the shortcomings of laser diode based direct detection laser crosslink technology in a direct comparison to EHF crosslinks has been its inability to operate through the solar flux background levels. Previous solutions involved high peak power solid-state laser designs and constellation rerouting of data during the crossing. With the introduction of higher power sources and with the proven space qualified techniques to reduce the background flux levels impinging on the optical detectors, laser diode based direct detection laser crosslinks can now operate effectively through the solar disk. The authors discuss the techniques employed and illustrate performance levels that can be expected for a moderate data rate laser crosslink system