Low-Cost Pointing-and-Tracking System for Optical Communications (PATSOC).

Abstract

This report briefly describes the development of a low-cost, ship-to ship optical communications system (OCS) under a six-month Phase I Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract. Laser communication systems have been developed for use at fixed ground stations, aircraft, and satellites. However, they have not been successfully used in ship-to-ship applications. The difficulty is that ships have large, random linear random linear and angular motion, which interferes with holding a narrow-beam laser on an optical receiver. This study prepared a conceptual design of a relatively short range, low-power ship-to-ship system that would operate under severe sea conditions. The emphasis of the study was on the design of a low-cost gimbal set and its associated tracking system. (fr)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA202921

Entities

People

  • K. A. Joyce

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • C4I
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Communication Channels
  • Communication Systems
  • Control Systems
  • Data Transmission
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Laser Beams
  • Laser Diodes
  • Lasers
  • Optical Communications
  • Optical Detectors
  • Reconnaissance Satellites
  • Repetition Rate
  • Scattering
  • Semiconductors
  • Two Dimensional
  • Warning Systems

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Robotics and Automation.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Space