Lightweight, mobile free-space optical communications in disaster scenarios for transmission of Earth observation data: feasibility study

Onur Topcu; Hennes Henniger; Liane Grobe; Martin Haardt; Andreas Mitschele-Thiel; Tobias Simon

doi:10.1117/12.898800

14 September 2011 Lightweight, mobile free-space optical communications in disaster scenarios for transmission of Earth observation data: feasibility study

Onur Topcu, Hennes Henniger, Liane Grobe, Martin Haardt, Andreas Mitschele-Thiel, Tobias Simon

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8162, Free-Space and Atmospheric Laser Communications XI; 816203 (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.898800
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2011, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Free-space optical (FSO) links are an effective alternative to radio frequency (RF) to handle high-rate data transmission in case of a general communication service failure in disaster scenarios. Establishing high data rate links under the impacts of extreme environmental conditions, like the unregulated RF spectrum, is a very challenging issue. This paper focuses on multicopter (e.g., quadrocopter or hexacopter) based earth observation systems. Its main objective is to show that FSO communication can provide a high-rate link for transmitting earth observation data from a multicopter to a ground station, even under environmental disaster conditions. Before analyzing the feasibility of such an optical multicopter system, the main system structure will be discussed in detail. Several system designs will be compared and evaluated based on link budget calculations. In this process, a novel Grating Light Valve (GLV) retroreflector modulator technology will be introduced in this work. The study will emphasize that a reliable 100 Mbit/s FSO data transmission will be feasible to provide a downlink capacity for multicopter based earth observation systems.

Citation Download Citation

Onur Topcu, Hennes Henniger, Liane Grobe, Martin Haardt, Andreas Mitschele-Thiel, and Tobias Simon "Lightweight, mobile free-space optical communications in disaster scenarios for transmission of Earth observation data: feasibility study", Proc. SPIE 8162, Free-Space and Atmospheric Laser Communications XI, 816203 (14 September 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.898800

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