Atmospheric optical data transmission system

Abstract

A free-space optical data transmission system, comprised of first and second transceivers spaced a substantial distance from each other having telescopes aimed at each other. Each transceiver has a light transmitter for transmitting data-encoded light from its telescope to the other telescope, and a light receiver for receiving the data-encoded light from the other telescope. Each transceiver has a wavefront sensor for determining the curvature of the wavefront of light transmitted between the telescopes, which light wavefront may be distorted by atmospheric aberrations, a deformable curvature mirror operably connected to the wavefront sensor and positioned in the path of the data-encoded light for modifying the wavefront curvature of the data-encoded light in response to the wavefront curvature determined by the wavefront sensor. Preferably, each transceiver has an arrangement for distinguishing/separating the transmitted and received light waves for bi-directional data transmission.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A free-space optical data transmission system, comprising; 
 first and second transceivers having first and second telescopes, said telescopes spaced a substantial distance from and aimed in the direction of each other,    each telescope mounted for controlled movement for aiming at the other telescope, each transceiver having a light transmitter for providing light to that transceiver's telescope which directs that light to the other telescope,    each transceiver having a light receiver for receiving the light from that transceiver's telescope that is received from the other telescope,    means provided with at least said first telescope and its light transmitter for causing a diverging light beam to be directed toward and impinge upon said second telescope,    means operably connected to said light receiver of said second telescope for sensing the diverging light beam from said first telescope and causing controlled movement of said second telescope to aim directly at said a first telescope as the source of the diverging light beam, and    means operably connected to said light receiver of said first telescope for sensing a focused light beam from said second telescope, causing controlled movement of said first telescope to aim directly at said second telescope as the source of the focused light beam, and adjusting the diverging light beam to focus on said second telescope.