Photovoltaically Powered Modulating Retroreflectors
Abstract
Abstract. The development of a photovoltaically PV powered laser communication system that constitutes a miniature, highly energy efficient wireless communication technology is described. The technology is based on the direct integration of a multiquantum well (MQW) modulating retroreflector (MRR) optical communication node and a monolithically integrated module (MIM) PV power source. The MQW MRR optical data link exploits the shift in the MQW absorption peak under an applied reverse bias to modulate incident laser light, enabling binary encoding of data for transfer. A MIM consists of many individual solar cells monolithically integrated on a single substrate and offers the design versatility necessary to enable efficient electrical conversion of both incident sunlight and the system laser light and the ability to match the voltage output to the MRR requirements. A description of the development of the MRR and MIM components of the system is given. Results of bench-top demonstrations of the operational system are presented. 2006 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA462114
Entities
People
- D. M. Wilt
- D. Schelman
- G. Charmaine Gilbreath
- J. L. Murphy
- Jeffrey H. Warner
- M. J. Krasowski
- Malcolm A Smith
- P. P. Jenkins
- R. J. Walters
- Williams S. Rabinovich
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory