Coherent Optical Transceiver using Circular Polarization-Based Balanced Mixing

Boulder Nonlinear Systems (BNS) proposes to use its electro-optic component and subsystem expertise to transition a patented heterodyne detection scheme previously conceived by BNS for LIDAR to application in satellite based laser communications. The proposed effort will leverage past and present contracts in free space optical communication and space qualification of components. The proposed transceiver, which can be demonstrated with COTS components, is independent of platform orientation and path length differences. In addition BNS will investigate replacing the transceiver's conventional crystal modulator with a low voltage polymer electro-optic modulator. The proposed work plan entails demonstration of the path length and orientation insensitivity of the detection scheme as well as implementation of an electro-optic polymer based modulator for 1550 nm laser radiation. In addition to the proof of principle demonstration, Boulder Nonlinear Systems proposes to perform a design study to determine the size, weight and power of the transceiver subsystem and develop a road map for space qualification of the technology. A follow-on Phase II effort would result in a prototype laser communication subsystem with potential for satellite based application.

One example is military transformational communications in which the proposed technology would be an enabler for a satellite laser communications backbone. This technology would also be directly applicable to commercial free space optical communications targeted at the last mile in residential and business broadband communications. In addition, LIDAR remote sensing could benefit from the proposed heterodyne detection scheme.

In addition to the transformational communications application to which this proposal is responding, a space-qualifiable heterodyne optical mixer would have applications in many of NASA's remote sensing applications. A successful Phase II follow-on will result in a laser communication subsystem, which could be transitioned into a commercial product. This would be significant for the research community where to date there are no compact and inexpensive off-the-shelf heterodyne free space optical communication detection systems, let alone one that is insensitive to path length differences and platform orientation.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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