Proof of concept for adaptive sequential optimization of free-space communication receivers.

In a downlink scenario, the performance of laser satellite communications is limited due to atmospheric turbulence, which causes fluctuations in the intensity and the phase of the received signal, leading to an increase in bit error probability. In principle, a single-aperture phase-compensated receiver, based on adaptive optics, can overcome atmospheric limitations by adaptive tracking and correction of atmospherically induced aberrations. However, under strong turbulence situations, the effectiveness of traditional adaptive optics systems is severely compromised. We have developed an alternative intensity-based technique that corrects the wavefront by iteratively updating the phases of individual focal-plane speckles, which maximizes the power coupled into a single-mode fiber. Here, we present the proof of concept for this method. We show how this technique offers around 4 dB power gain with fewer than 60 power measurements under strong turbulence conditions. It delivers a good performance in different turbulent regimes, and it shows robustness against severe deterioration of the signal-to-noise ratio.

Demonstration of 40 GBaud intradyne transmission through worst-case atmospheric turbulence conditions for geostationary satellite uplink.

An optical communications system employing intradyne reception and offline digital signal processing is tested over a 10.45 km link through the atmosphere. 40 GBaud transmission using binary phase-shift keying in the C-band is demonstrated and compared with laboratory measurements. Simultaneous photodetector measurements show that the turbulence in the atmospheric channel is representative for relevant and worst-case conditions in the geostationary satellite uplink scenario.

Sensitivity modeling of binary optical receivers.

The sensitivity characteristics of optical receiver frontends for high-speed data communications depend on modulation format, detector type, and specific operational constraints. A general mathematical model of the receiver sensitivity that fits to analytical as well as measured data is required to compare different receiver implementations and assess the reliability of data links under varying received power as common in free-space optical communication links. In this paper, a new approach based on Q-factor modeling is presented, compared with analytical receiver models, and applied to a multitude of exemplary receiver implementations. A methodology is introduced to generally apply the model to ideal or practical binary optical receiver frontends.

One-way radio frequency dissemination through the atmosphere using two optical carriers.

A method of transferring an RF reference frequency through the turbulent atmosphere is presented. Using two optical wavelengths close to each other can compensate for the influence of the atmospheric piston error. The influence of the atmosphere on the phase of the optical signal is calculated together with the remaining error by transferring two carriers. The system was implemented in a laboratory test-bed, and stability measurements are shown.