Overcoming communication barriers with state-of-the-art
technologies and systems
The commercial and tactical communications environment currently hosts a wide variety of space-, air-, and terrestrial-based systems containing mobile functions that demand high quality network access. Because radio frequency (RF) is suitable for many applications, an increasing need for high bandwidth, bi-directional transmission is needed—both in short bursts and longer periods—to deliver high resolution imagery, and high quality video streams, as well as internet applications to airborne entities. The typical mobile RF system cannot support the ever-increasing number of exceptionally high bandwidth communication channels required for these applications. In addition, RF spectrum overcrowding is negatively affecting critical systems, such as GPS. Free-space optical (FSO) systems have the ability to provide required bandwidth and operates in an unregulated and uncrowded spectral range. However, available FSO solutions are incompatible with a mobile node scenario due to size, weight, and power (SWAP) demands; methods used for pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT); and susceptibility to weather events, particularly fog.
Group projects include:
- MOWE (Modular Optical Wireless Elements) Systems. Visit the project website at http://ouwecad.github.io/MOWE/
