| 摘要 |
A communications system made up of a number of multi-channel optical node (MCON) platforms uses free space optical communications terminals that have the ability to track, detect, measure, and respond to the acceleration or movement of the platform. Instead of using mirrors or traditional beam steering techniques, the platform uses a series of telecentric lens systems to re-align the focal plane such that beams are maintained in original pointing directions. A network of control systems is used to detect and measure movement of the platform, to re-align the platform after such movement, and to maintain connection with a number of other MCON platforms. |
| 主权项 |
1. A communications system comprising a plurality of multi-channel optical node platforms, wherein one of said plurality of multi-channel optical node platform comprises:
a. a plurality of free space optical communications terminals, wherein said plurality of free space optical communications terminals comprises a plurality of transmitters and a plurality of receivers, wherein said plurality of transmitters transmit an output signal in an original output direction and wherein said plurality of receivers receive an input signal at an original input direction, further wherein said plurality of free space optical communications terminals comprises a focal plane, the focal plane comprising light emitting sources and light detecting sources; b. a movement measuring control system, wherein said movement measuring control system detects and measures a first movement of said focal plane in three orthogonal linear and three orthogonal rotational degrees of motion, thereby generating a movement measurement; c. a movement controller, wherein said movement measuring control system transmits said movement measurement to said movement controller, further wherein said movement controller commands said focal plane to move in a second direction proportional and opposite to said first movement of said focal plane, thereby re-aligning said focal plane to a new position that corresponds to a same absolute angle of said original output direction; d. a tracking control system, wherein said tracking control system measures an optical power of said input signal and automatically moves said focal plane and light detecting sources to maximize said optical power of said input signal; e. a tracking-detection control system in communication with said movement measuring control system, wherein said tracking-detection control system uses an array of acceleration detectors to detect a new relative position of a peak optical spot on said focal plane; f. a plurality of precision accelerometer inertial measurement units coupled to said plurality of transmitters and said plurality of receivers; g. an electronic inertial measurement unit signal processor, wherein said electronic inertial measurement unit signal processor automatically transmits said first movement of said focal plane to said movement measuring control system; h. an optical beam connection control system; i. a global positioning satellite data system; and j. an orientation measurement system, wherein said orientation measurement system provides an orientation of said plurality of multi-channel optical nodes to one of said plurality of multi-channel optical nodes, thereby allowing said one of said plurality of multi-channel optical nodes to accurately switch to and from a number of said plurality of multi-channel optical nodes. |
