1. Modeling of adaptive optics-based free-space communications systems
- Author
-
Michael W. Kartz, James M. Brase, J. R. Morris, John R. Henderson, Charles A. Thompson, Scott Wilks, Scot S. Olivier, and A. J. Ruggerio
- Subjects
Physics ,business.industry ,Astrophysics::Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics ,Phase (waves) ,Physics::Optics ,Strehl ratio ,Wavefront sensor ,Laser ,Communications system ,law.invention ,Compensation (engineering) ,Optics ,law ,business ,Adaptive optics ,Free-space optical communication - Abstract
We introduce a wave-optics based simulation code written to model a complete free space laser communications link, including a detailed model of an adaptive optics compensation system. We present the results obtained by this model, where the phase of a communications laser beam is corrected, after it propagates through a turbulent atmosphere. The phase of the received laser beam is measured using a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor, and the correction method utilizes a MEMS mirror. Strehl improvement and amount of power coupled to the receiving fiber results for both 1 km horizontal and 28 km slant paths will be presented.
- Published
- 2002
- Full Text
- View/download PDF