Posts by Justin Bertelsen

Overview Transportable Optical Ground Station (TOGS). See Optical Ground Station (OGS). Near real-time data downlinks from aircrafts, satellites and high altitude platforms via high-speed laser communication links is an important research topic at the Institute of Communications and Navigation of the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Ground stations for such scenarios are usually fixed at a…

Overview Environmental conditions create significant obstructions to completing satellite-to-ground links (SGL) with OGSs. Multiple potential approaches exist to negate environmental effects and maximize transmission efficiency. Those approaches may be considered in two basic categories: Methods to improve the reliably of the FSO link Methods to bypass a faulty link in favor of a reliable alternate…

Overview FSO is an emerging field where uncertainties exist in applications, fundamentals, and ways to utilize technology. As with all optics-based technologies, the largest obstacle to growth is signal attenuation in communication links. Research institutions, private companies, and government agencies are all conducting individual experiments and studies to broaden understanding and advance FSO technologies. Some…

Overview Turbulence is a phenomenon in fluid mechanics created by unpredictable changes in pressure and flow velocity. Atmospheric turbulence follows the same mechanics. For optics, since pressure and temperature are directly related, turbulence also means changes in temperature. This corresponds to changes in refractive index, producing damaging effects to signal transmission through the atmosphere. Turbulence…

Overview BRIDGECOMM, INC. (previously known as BridgeSat) is an American company specializing in optical wireless communications applications. Their goal is to create “a global network of optical ground stations (OGS) designed to support complementary fixed and mobile terminals that provide high-bandwidth, high-security solutions for unique applications.” Their OGS technology operates point-to-point in the infrared range.…

Overview SmartOptics is a telecommunications company based in Oslo, Norway, whose main focus is updating current communication systems to improve the data transfer. SmartOptics is a research and manufacturing company that uses case studies around the world to optimize their products. They generate case studies for almost any field before they go ahead with creating…

Overview The University of Western Australia (UWA) Astrophotonics Group is a center focused on designing, building, and testing advanced photonic systems with applications in radio astronomy, optical astronomy, and space science. The group’s core technological capability is the long-distance transfer of stabilized optical-frequency and microwave-frequency signals across optical fiber networks and free-space laser links. [1]…

Overview The Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) is a multinational forum formed in 1982 to discuss common problems in the development and creation of space communications systems. Today, the forum consists of the eleven major space agencies of the world and seeks to develop standards for communication and data systems in space. CCSDS…

Overview A cognitive diversity network (CDN) is an amalgamation of many different networking processes contributing to the operation of one network. “Cognitive diversity” is the difference in thinking, processing, and problem-solving styles among many individuals or groups. “Network” implies an interlinking of different technologies and methods, especially with regards to satellites and FSO. Therefore, “cognitive diversity…