Hybrid optical radio frequency airborne communications

Zachary C. Bagley; David H. Hughes; Juan C. Juarez; David W. Young; Paul J. Kolodzy; Todd Martin; Malcolm J. Northcott; H. Alan Pike; Ned D. Plasson; Brian K. Stadler; Larry B. Stotts

doi:10.1117/1.OE.51.5.055006

25 May 2012 Hybrid optical radio frequency airborne communications

Zachary C. Bagley, David H. Hughes, Juan C. Juarez, David W. Young, Paul J. Kolodzy, Todd Martin, Malcolm J. Northcott, H. Alan Pike, Ned D. Plasson, Brian K. Stadler, Larry B. Stotts

Author Affiliations +

Optical Engineering, Vol. 51, Issue 5, 055006 (May 2012). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.51.5.055006

Abstract

Optical RF Communications Adjunct Program flight test results provide validation of the theoretical models and hybrid optical radio frequency (RF) airborne system concepts developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory. Theoretical models of the free-space optical communications (FSOC), RF, and network components accurately predict the flight test results under a wide range of day and night operating conditions. The FSOC system, including the adaptive optics and optical modem, can operate under high turbulence conditions. The RF and network mechanisms of Layer 2 retransmission and failover provide increased reliability, reducing end-to-end packet error rates. Overall the test results show that stable, long-range FSOC is possible and practical for near-term operations.

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Zachary C. Bagley, David H. Hughes, Juan C. Juarez, David W. Young, Paul J. Kolodzy, Todd Martin, Malcolm J. Northcott, H. Alan Pike, Ned D. Plasson, Brian K. Stadler, and Larry B. Stotts "Hybrid optical radio frequency airborne communications," Optical Engineering 51(5), 055006 (25 May 2012). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.51.5.055006

Published: 25 May 2012

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