Portable Optical Integrated Network Transceivers (POINT)
Abstract
To enable advanced communications and improve network resiliency, the Portable Optical Integrated Network Transceivers (POINT) program aims to develop low size, weight, and power (SWaP) photonic transceivers and demonstrate them in free-space optical (FSO) links for micro-satellites and small mobile platforms. The high-SWaP of existing optical terminals with gimbals and telescopes are incompatible with micro-satellite payload capacity and mission requirements. POINT will leverage recent development of optical phased array based transmitter technology combined with wide field of view, dual-mode, high-speed imaging receivers. The integrated optical transceivers will have no moving parts, resulting in a radical reduction in SWaP, enabling advanced and resilient communications for small Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites and other mobile platforms. The program will develop and demonstrate an FSO link applicable to LEO-LEO or LEO-Ground missions, providing high bandwidth, efficient, and secure communication links for resilient command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations in space. Other terrestrial uses of the technology include interference-free operation in denied environments and low probability of intercept/low probability of detection tactical links. Technologies developed under the POINT program are planned for transition to the Services.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2021
- Source ID
- ab88d090e8d18b6fac881a6a8e933763