Space-Qualifiable 1064 nm Fiber Based Transmitter for Long Range Optical Communications, Phase I

Fibertek has developed transmitters for Lidar and 3D imaging applications based on fiber optics architectures both at 1064nm. We have demonstrated an all fiber transmitter producing as much as 15W at 10Kpps. This all-fiber based transmitter produces pulses at 1064nm as short as 750ps and can have its repetition rate varied from 10Kpps to several 10s of Mpps. In addition the transmitter central wavelength can be tuned. The space-qualifiable 1064nm transmitter we propose here for Long Range Communication is based on these development efforts. We propose here to extend the operation of our architecture to 150ps pulses and demonstrate the front end during the Phase-I portion of this effort operating between 1Mpps and 60Mpps. We will also work to maintain near transform limited pulses and as high wall-plug efficiency as possible. An Engineering-Unit, designed with space traceable electronic components, will be delivered at the end of the Phase-II portion of this SBIR effort.

The transmitter developed under this program has numerous applications for ranging and target identification. The ability to modulate pulses at different rates and different pulse duration will also provide a wide range of opportunities in free communication from undersea when the frequency of light is doubled to military intersattelite communications.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.