Effects of combinatorial sensing on tracking algorithms for FSO systems

Jonathan W. Rabinovich; Mike S. Ferraro; Taylor A. Page; Linda M. Thomas; William S. Rabinovich; Rita Mahon; Andrew J. Menas

doi:10.1117/12.2551302

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2 March 2020 Effects of combinatorial sensing on tracking algorithms for FSO systems

Jonathan W. Rabinovich, Mike S. Ferraro, Taylor A. Page, Linda M. Thomas, William S. Rabinovich, Rita Mahon, Andrew J. Menas

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Proceedings Volume 11272, Free-Space Laser Communications XXXII; 112721J (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2551302
Event: SPIE LASE, 2020, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

In free-space optical communication (FSO) photodetectors are used for both data reception and positioning. For most FSO systems, these functions are performed by two separate photodetectors. The development of a new avalanche photodiode (APD) array has allowed positioning and data reception to be done on a single device. This device takes the form of concentric cells with four cells forming a circle and a fifth cell in the center. The change from a standard quadrant cell format to a concentric cell format affects the tracking algorithm an FSO system needs to use. Analytical characterization of the effects of a combinatorial sensor of this type on an FSO tracking algorithm has been done but it has not been verified experimentally. Here we test different tracking algorithms in an existing FSO system to determine the optimal way to use a combinatorial detector for position sensing.

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Jonathan W. Rabinovich, Mike S. Ferraro, Taylor A. Page, Linda M. Thomas, William S. Rabinovich, Rita Mahon, and Andrew J. Menas "Effects of combinatorial sensing on tracking algorithms for FSO systems", Proc. SPIE 11272, Free-Space Laser Communications XXXII, 112721J (2 March 2020); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2551302

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