A 150 km free-space optical (FSO) communication link between Maui (Haleakala) and Hawaii (Mauna Loa) was demonstrated by JHU/APL and AOptix Technologies, Inc. in September 2006. Over a 5 day period, multiple configurations including single channel 2.5 Gbps transmission, single channel 10 Gbps, and four wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) 10 Gbps channels for an aggregate data rate of 40 Gbps were demonstrated. Links at data rates from 10 to 40 Gb/s were run in excess of 3 contiguous hours. Data on the received power, frame synchronization losses, and bit error rate were recorded. This paper will report on the data transfer performance (bit error rates, frame synchronization issues) of this link over a 5 day period. A micropulse lidar was run concurrently, and on a parallel path with the FSO link, recording data on scattering loss and visibility. Comparisons between the state of the link due to weather and the data transfer performance will be described.
We report a new type of high-speed electro-optic (E-O) beam scanner based on Potassium Tantalate Niobate (KTN) crystal. It has larger scanning angle, better angular resolution, and lower driving voltage comparing to the traditional E-O crystal beam scanner. Compared to conventional moving mirrors such as servo-controlled mirrors and galvanic mirrors, the demonstrated E-O beam scanner can improve the response time by 100 times. The presented device has many other unique features such as light weight, small dimension, low power consumption, and no-moving components particularly suitable for airborne and space-borne applications.
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