In this work we report the design and implementation of a very high speed retro-reflective free space communication system between a ground station and a commercial unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The system uses a pixelated electro-absorption modulator (EAM) modulating retroreflector (MRR) to establish a data link operating at 500 Mbps at a range of 560 m and a bit error rate (BER) of 7.6•10 -4 . The MRR provides an effective aperture of 11mm and full field of view (FFOV) of 6.4°. To the best of our knowledge, this is the fastest demonstration of an outdoor link of this type. In this paper the design and implementation of the system is described, as well as results from experimental trials.
In this work we present the design and implementation of a pixelated electro-absorption modulator (EAM) based modulating retroreflector (MRR) for high speed optical wireless communications. The modulator is based on a multiple quantum well (MQW) structure embedded in an asymmetric Fabry-Perot (FP) cavity. This MRR was used in an outdoor link, operating at 150 Mbps with a bit error rate (BER) of 1.22 x 10 -6 at a range of 200 m. The system was also tested in laboratory controlled conditions achieving a data rate of 200 Mbps with a BER of 2 x 10 -4 . To the best of our knowledge, this is the fastest retroreflective free space optics (RFSO) demonstration in both indoor and outdoor environments.
A highly integrated silicon platform (Hi-Mission) for high frequency applications is introduced. This platform utilizes heterogeneous Multi-Chip Module-Deposited (MCM-D) technology with integrated passive devices together with silicon and GaAs Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) technology developed for the automotive Ultra Wide Band (UWB) radar (short-range radar) frequency band from 77 to 81 GHz. Developments are described in the area of MCM-D process development, MMIC, integrated phased array antenna, module design, and assembly process development. The demonstrator is composed of two test vehicles designed for conducted and radiated measurements, respectively. Test results are presented at the component and module level.
Three types of electroabsorption modulators (EAMs) based on III-V semiconductor multiple quantum wells (MQW) are presented in this work. One is a novel monolithic integration traveling-wave EAM for an analog optical transmitter/transceiver to achieve integrated photonic mm-wave functions for broadband connectivity. Another one is composed of an integrated EAM 1D array in a photonic beam-former as a Ku-band phased array antenna for seamless aeronautical networking through integration of data links, radios, and antennas. The third one addresses the use of MQW EAMs in free space optical links through biological tissue for transcutaneous communication.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.