Air Force Research Lab Hires AOptix Technologies

AOptix Technologies, a developer of ultra-high bandwidth laser communication solutions, has developed a program to test and evaluate the performance of a long distance combined optical and RF link system exclusively for Air Force Research Laboratory (News - Alert) (AFRL) Information Directorate, in Rome, New York.

 

As per the agreement, AOptix Technologies will supervise the design and preparation for the optical portion of the combined hybrid-optical/RF terminals. The contract will include local testing at their 10km Campbell, California range along with a mountain top test at 150km. The long distance link test is aimed at evaluating the performance of a simulated, high-altitude, air-to-air, communications link.

 

“What’s remarkable is the enormous amount of data capable of being sent through this ultra-high bandwidth optical link,” said Dean Senner, president and CEO of AOptix. “At data rates of 10 Gbps, the optical link is capable of sending a full length standard definition DVD movie in less than 5 seconds; and all of this at under 200 milliwatts, less power than a cell phone. To bridge 150 kilometers with a secure 10 gigabit per second communications link is unprecedented.”

 

The AOptix terminals make use of a unique bi-directional, adaptive optics method of beam control to compensate for real-time atmospheric turbulence. Video, voice and data are transmitted through the air over an invisible, extremely low power, eye-safe, free-space optical laser link.

 

Lasercom can be used to provide very high capacity dense wave division multiplexed (DWDM) links without the need to reserve spectrum or otherwise coordinate with competing spectrum users. AOptix aims to exploit previous successful contracts for AFRL in a bid to further validate and improve the wireless technology necessary for the increasing high bandwidth communications needs of its customers.