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Free Space Optical Connections for Airborne On-the-Move Nodes at High Data…

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Army 		Award ID:
97586 		Program Year/Program:
2010 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
A092-065-0430 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
Army 09-065 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
SA Photonics
650 5th Street Suite 505 San Francisco, CA -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2010
Title: Free Space Optical Connections for Airborne On-the-Move Nodes at High Data Rates Over Extended Distances
Agency / Branch: DOD / ARMY
Contract: W15P7T-10-C-B605
Award Amount: $69,997.00
 

Abstract:

UAVs offer a low cost, highly capable aerial platform that can be used without risk to aircrews. The value of the RQ-4 Global Hawk and the MQ-1C Warrior in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the war in Afghanistan, has been well publicized. New, high resolution sensor payloads and an overall increase in network connectivity demand is generating more required bandwidth than existing RF/Microwave links can deliver to UAV missions. Free Space Optical communications (FSO) offer unprecedented bandwidth, but must overcome unique challenges associated with atmospheric channel fading and require precise beam steering to illuminate far-end apertures with their very narrow beams. SA Photonics has developed f?oRaptorf??, its comprehensive solution to ultra-high bandwidth On-the-Move FSO communications. Raptor provides up to 10Gbps of scalable bandwidth, with unprecedented immunity to atmospheric interference. By combining advanced modulation technology to reduce power by 5X, with our AccuPoint and BeamDirector beam steering systems which reduce size by 5X, Raptor delivers significant cost, size, weight and power advantages over other approaches. SA Photonics Raptor systems, when deployed, will enable ultra-high bandwidth UAV missions, and will not be burdened by the frequency regulations and bandwidth congestion currently experienced with RF/Microwave links.

Principal Investigator:

James Coward
Chief Technical Officer
4159770553
j.coward@saphotonics.com

Business Contact:

Michael Browne
Chief Financial Officer
4083484426
m.browne@saphotonics.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

SA Photonics
130 Knowles Drive Suite A Los Gatos, CA 95032

EIN/Tax ID: 611427995
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No