You are here

AgileBeam Reconfigurable Free Space Optical Communication System

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: FA9453-19-C-0702
Agency Tracking Number: F18A-010-0042
Amount: $749,923.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: AF18A-T010
Solicitation Number: 18.A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2018
Award Year: 2020
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2019-11-26
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2021-11-26
Small Business Information
120 Knowles Dr.
Los Gatos, CA 95032
United States
DUNS: 119301831
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Todd Chauvin
 Principle Engineer
 (408) 702-8066
 t.chauvin@saphotonics.com
Business Contact
 David Cushman
Phone: (408) 560-3500
Email: d.cushman@saphotonics.com
Research Institution
 University of California, Los Angeles
 Dr. Richard Wesel Dr. Richard Wesel
 
10889 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD, SUITE 920
Los Angeles, CA 90095
United States

 (310) 267-2150
 Nonprofit College or University
Abstract

Free Space Optical (FSO) communication systems provide many benefits for satellite communications, including high data rates and low Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) compared to traditional RF communication systems. Additionally, FSO systems operate without RF emissions and are inherently immune to RF interference and jamming. The narrow optical beams and small Field-of-View of the optical receivers also make FSO systems LPI/LPD and difficult to disrupt by intentional jamming. Space-based FSO systems have been demonstrated, and are being considered for many upcoming commercial and military satellite systems. However, widespread adoption of space-based FSO systems has not occurred, partly due to the custom nature of most FSO systems. For each space-based application, a custom FSO system is typically developed. What is needed is a reconfigurable FSO terminal that can be used for a wide variety of missions, including operation in LEO, MEO and GEO orbits, and supporting both crosslink and up/down-link operation. To address this need, SA Photonics proposes the development of the AgileBeam space-based FSO system. AgileBeam is based on our CrossBeam FSO system and software-defined reconfigurability to enable the system to support a wide range of space-based applications.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government