All-optical modules for compact free-space laser link transceivers

Summary form only given. With the rapidly increasing interest in mobile communications and global satellite-based data networks, many designs for next-generation low-earth satellite systems include the use of onboard optical terminals providing a fast and interference-free inter-satellite data transfer. However, to make such systems competitive with the well-established RF technology, they must offer besides high data rates additional attractive features such as compactness, small size, low mass and low power consumption. In this respect, we initiated in 1998 a five-year feasibility study of a compact laser communications terminal consisting of all-optical modules linked to each other by optical fibers. This paper shows the conceptual view of the envisaged terminal with its two main modules under current investigation, the optical antenna module and the modulator/demodulator (MOD/DEMOD) module.