Multi-aperture digital coherent combining for free-space optical communication receivers

作者：Geisler David J^*; Yarnall Timothy M; Stevens Mark L; Schieler Curt M; Robinson Bryan S; Hamilton Scott A

来源：Optics Express, 2016, 24(12): 12661-12671.

DOI：10.1364/OE.24.012661

Space-to-ground optical communication systems can benefit from reducing the size, weight, and power profiles of space terminals. One way of reducing the required power-aperture product on a space platform is to implement effective, but costly, single-aperture ground terminals with large collection areas. In contrast, we present a ground terminal receiver architecture in which many small less-expensive apertures are efficiently combined to create a large effective aperture while maintaining excellent receiver sensitivity. This is accomplished via coherent detection behind each aperture followed by digitization. The digitized signals are then combined in a digital signal processing chain. Experimental results demonstrate lossless coherent combining of four lasercom signals, at power levels below 0.1 photons/bit/aperture.

• 出版日期2016-6-13