Adaptive optics systems for free space optical communications

Kurzfassung

Free space optical communications suffer from the atmosphere turbulence. It decreases the maximum data rate achievable. A French start-up from Grenoble area is proposing a new device where it is possible to increase this maximal value by adding adaptive optics. A technical co-operation is proposed with a manufacturer of optical wireless products looking for solutions increasing the bandwidth .

Details

Unlike optic fibres communications, Free Space Optical communications (FSO) suffer from atmosphere turbulence. It decreases the maximum data rate achievable. However, it is possible to increase this maximal value by adding adaptive optics. These optics are composed of an active element (wavefront corrector), a real-time control and an instrument measuring the quality of the communication.

The solution developed by the French company has two major advantages:

•the compact turbulence corrector with very low power consumption. This corrector is easily optimised for the transceiver characteristics.
•the real-time controller which is flexible. It is therefore possible to integrate easily this solution within the various configurations of free-space optics transceiver.

Innovative Aspects:
A patented wavefront corrector
•able to correct for strong turbulences
•compact
•with low power consumption
•with the required bandwidth.

An innovative control architecture:
•optimised for R&D before integration
•very fast
•flexible: it is possible to integrate it into various transceivers. •strong atmosphere turbulence correction
•low power consumption
•compact
•easily integrated