Laser Communication Test System

Abstract

A Hughes-developed laser communication terminal was delivered for Air Force Testing that is related to aircraft applications. The terminals employ laser diode transmitters, PIN diode receivers, and provide automatic tracking with a gimbal-mounted video camera and off-gimbal video tracker. The terminals are capable of 20 Kbps full duplex operation over 8-10 miles at sea level. Video tracking offers a legitimate alternative to quadrant tracking. The terminals were modified to provide performance monitors for transmitted signal, received signal, AGC voltage, tracking error, tracker status, and angular position. An automatic acquisition capability with spiral scans was implemented and performed well.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA199612

Entities

People

  • A. K. Rue
  • G. S. Mecherle
  • G. T. Pope
  • M. A. Twete
  • P. T. Benguhe

Organizations

  • Hughes Aircraft Company

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Air Platforms
  • C4I
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Automatic Tracking
  • Cameras
  • Communication Systems
  • Communication Terminals
  • Control Panels
  • Control Systems
  • Data Transmission
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Digital Communications
  • Diodes
  • Electronic Components
  • Laser Communications
  • Measurement
  • Optical Communications
  • Photographs
  • Semiconductors

Readers

  • Computer Networking
  • Radar Systems Engineering.
  • Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy