Self-healing free space optical link

Abstract

This work summarizes the progress made on a ground-to-ground 10 Gbps free space optical link. The bi-directional link consists of two static breadboard platforms that utilize low-SWaP, commercial off-the-shelf components. Each platform features a small form-factor pluggable optical transceiver and a programmable erbium-doped fiber amplifier on transmit. The free space link spans a 500 m line-of-sight distance between two academic buildings, namely Fitz Hall and Kettering Labs at the University of Dayton. Both platforms are indoors and transceive through existing building windows. The wavelength of operation is 1550 nm and the free space optical communication (FSOC) platforms have been previously evaluated for eye-safety. In this work, the authors demonstrate mechanical beam steering based upon de-centered lens technology, round-trip bit error rate measurements, and a free space transmission control protocol network for closed-loop operation including client-server messaging, auto-reconnects, receiver optimizations, and generalized self-healing capabilities.