SBIR/STTR Award attributes
Relative Dynamics Inc. will develop an Optical Communication Array Transceiver (OCAT) with capabilities required in NASA Subtopic H9.01: Long-Range Optical Communication.nbsp;nbsp;The key innovations in OCAT are:Large apertures enabled by array of telescopesThe OCAT architecture usesnbsp;modular, low SWaP-Cnbsp;telescopes.Emphasis on monostatic (for coherent modulation format) array with duplex (transmit and receive) operationPatent-pending autocollimation/focus sensor and tilt/piston (phase-alignment) sensorAutocollimation sensor leverages concept from Hubble Space Telescope fine guidance sensor.Low-cost tilt/piston sensor improves precision with modular system fornbsp;3-telescope subarraysLeveraging these commercial/RDI continuing innovations:Integrated photonics modemsLeverages terrestrial fiber communication modems, components and integrated photonics technology.100 Gbpsnbsp;commercial coherent transceivers with near-quantum limited receiver. Space-qualified versions available.Launches to a market trajectory to leverage future Terabit technology and systems.Ultrasonic piezoelectric motor actuatorsMicro-radian precision pointing and tracking. A new generation of motors with higher operating bandwidth (500 Hz resonance), higher electrical power efficiency, highernbsp;torque, compact size and weight, no magnetic interference, variable velocity without gears, andnbsp;ultra-high vacuum operationContinuous Carbon Fiber composite mechanical and opto-mechanical structuresUltralight weight with high strength-to-weight ratioLow thermal-mechanical distortion. Athermal telescope by engineering coefficient of thermal expansion.Mass-production using low-cost 3D robotic printingLow-cost, compact, high-performance (l/50 rms) telescope opticsUse of aspheric lenses to achieve l/50 rms Tx wavefront and gt;70% single-mode fiber receiver coupling with commercial optics.nbsp; This is much less expensive than using reflective optics (mirrors).
