Electronically steered inter-satellite optical communication system and methods
US10243654B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 30, 2018 |
| Grant date | Mar 26, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 21, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04B10/40
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Aspects are generally directed to an inter-satellite communication system and method of communicating between satellites. In one example, an inter-satellite communication system includes a first satellite transceiver having an entrance aperture, and a non-mechanical beamsteering device configured to steer a first beam of encoded optical data over a field of view thereof. The first satellite transceiver may include coarse steering optics configured to extend a field of regard of the non-mechanical beamsteering device. During a transmit mode, the coarse steering optics are positioned to transmit the first beam of encoded optical data through the entrance aperture in a direction of a second satellite transceiver. The first satellite transceiver may also include a beam splitter positioned, during a receive mode, to receive a second beam of encoded optical data from the second satellite transceiver and direct the second beam of encoded optical data to an optical sensor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.