INVESTIGATION OF TACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF LASERS FOR COMMUNICATIONS.
Abstract
The unique features of a laser communication system (e.g., wide bandwidth, narrow beamwidth, simplicity) suggest possible military applications for tactical ground communication. To investigate the feasibility of such applications, two atmospheric test links were established. Ranging in length from 300 meters to 5 kilometers, the links permitted investigation of atmospheric scintillation characteristics, beam movement, modulation schemes and digital error rates. As expected, meteorological conditions severely affected the propagation characteristics of the links. The range of variation which may be expected in an atmospheric path was established by a series of experiments made under a number of varying weather conditions. Error rates to be expected in a digital communication system were related to weather and modulation. Long-term beam movement was investigated over the five-kilometer path. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0832959
Entities
People
- Donald A. Smith
- Douglas H. Shedd
- Merle M. Whatley
- Murray H. Lipton
Organizations
- United States Army Communications-Electronics Command