Proceedings Article | 4 May 2010
KEYWORDS: Free space optics, Data modeling, Adaptive optics, Telecommunications, Turbulence, Temperature metrology, Free space optical communications, Optical amplifiers, Ocean optics, Channel projecting optics
The performance of a free-space optical (FSO) communications link in a maritime environment was evaluated
during two field trials conducted off the mid-Atlantic coast near Wallops Island, VA, in July and September 2009. Bidirectional,
ship-to-shore data links operating at 2.5 Gbps and utilizing commercial, single-mode adaptive optics
terminals were set up between a lookout tower located on Cedar Island, VA and a Johns Hopkins University Applied
Physics Laboratory research vessel over a range of 2-22 km (optical horizon). This paper presents the test
configuration, discusses the overall performance of the FSO channel, and compares it to the available turbulence and
weather measurements. Additionally, modeling of the link configuration is presented, and comparisons are made to data
measured throughout the experiment such as received power, received beam diameter, and local The performance of a free-space optical (FSO) communications link in a maritime environment was evaluated
during two field trials conducted off the mid-Atlantic coast near Wallops Island, VA, in July and September 2009. Bidirectional,
ship-to-shore data links operating at 2.5 Gbps and utilizing commercial, single-mode adaptive optics
terminals were set up between a lookout tower located on Cedar Island, VA and a Johns Hopkins University Applied
Physics Laboratory research vessel over a range of 2-22 km (optical horizon). This paper presents the test
configuration, discusses the overall performance of the FSO channel, and compares it to the available turbulence and
weather measurements. Additionally, modeling of the link configuration is presented, and comparisons are made to data
measured throughout the experiment such as received power, received beam diameter, and local Cn2.
