High Power Uplink Amplifier for Deep Space Communications

Critical to the success of delivering on the promise of deep space optical communications is the creation of a stable and reliable high power multichannel optical uplink/beacon. Optical Engines proposes to demonstrate in phase 1 a 1kW compact and low cost fiber amplifier suited to the uplink application. This will be accomplished through the use of Optical Engines proprietary Multi-Fiber Coupled 2.5kW laser diode stacks, its Etched Taper All Fiber Combiner Technology and a custom designed Photonic Crystal Fiber. By building upon existing fiber amplifier work this demonstration can be accomplished in the Phase 1 time frame. From this demonstration, a 4 channel 4kW total power amplifier array will be constructed during phase II to be integrated into existing NASA deep space communications up link infrastructure.

High Power fiber lasers represent the fastest growing segment of the over $2B per year material processing market. A kW class fiber laser that is considerably smaller, and much lower cost will be a successful competitor in this market and will have a very good chance of gaining market share. The proposed fiber laser technology is extend able to the eyesafe portion of the spectrum allowing further penetration into these portions of the laser processing market. Laser processing is a small portion of the over $30B per year material processing market that can be further penetrated as the cost of these systems is reduced and flexibility of these systems is increased.

High Power Fiber amplifiers that are compact, robust, reliable and low cost can provide the basis of many potential NASA applications from Uplink beacons that are either terrestrial, airborne or space based, and also can provide the basis of high power lasers for Lidar, LIBS, and other remote sensing applications. This technology is also extend able to pulsed regimens and different wavelenghts as well

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — 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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