Message posted by Smythers (Member since 01/10/2010) on November 04, 2022 at 12:49:11 PST:
From a pre-2011 press release from AFRL * Quote "Working with industry partner ITT Advanced Engineering & Sciences, Air Force Research Laboratory sensors scientists demonstrated FALCON, an operationally capable Fast Airborne Laser Communications Optical Node. The long-awaited capability, which culminates decades of research into this technology, comprises a high-data-rate, long-range, free-space optical communication link. Initial flight testing took place aboard two DC-3 aircraft, with subsequent tests occurring on a pair of DHC-6 Twin Otters. During this rigorous test regimen, FALCON achieved a 2.5 Gbps full-duplex link over an incredible 130 km distance, with almost half of its available laser power still remaining. Since 2004, AFRL and ITT have collaborated in developing a long-range laser comm system capable of delivering high data rates in both air-to-air and air-to-ground scenarios. This notable achievement required successful integration and validation of several complex and interconnected mechanical, electrical, and optical subsystems. Accordingly, the team leveraged numerous laboratory and ground tests conducted--and models developed--along the way in establishing a baseline for system performance. Wireless data transfer currently occurs via radio frequency technology, but operational RF systems are struggling to keep pace with the continuously increasing bandwidth demands of military consumers. Laser comm enables bandwidth delivery at speeds >10 times faster than current RF systems are able to achieve and, meanwhile, offers added bonuses such as extremely low probability of intercept, high jamming resistance, and no spectrum conflicts. The AFRL/ITT-developed FALCON represents the first successful demonstration of this powerful technology. /Quote
In Reply to: Re: Anti-Jam, LPI/LPD Solution Delivers Higher Data Rates posted by Peter Merlin on November 03, 2022 at 17:01:30 PST:
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