Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Lesh, James R..
A Nd:YAG laser was end pumped with 2.2 W of continuous-wave (CW) diode laser output. Efficient operation of the laser at high repetition rates was emphasized. This laser provides 890 mW of TEM00 CW output at 1064 nm, and 340 mW of 532 nm average power at a Q-switched repetition rate of 25 kHz. Experimental data are compared with analysis.
Experimental acousto-optical Bragg-cell spectrum analyzer achieves subhertz frequency resolution. System represents extension to three dimensions of two-dimensional spectrum-analyzer concept described in, "Two-Dimensional Acousto-Optical Spectrum Analyzer" (NPO-18092). First and second dimensions two spatial dimensions of charge-coupled-device (CCD) imaging array. Third dimension time, as sampled at frame rate of CCD array.
State-of-the-art two-dimensional acousto-optical spectrum analyzer processes input radio-frequency signal in real time into components in any number of spectral channels up to about 10(Sup5). Input radio-frequency signal to be analyzed launched via transducer into acousto-optical device along x axis. Acousto-optical device becomes Bragg cell. Pulsed plane waves of light from laser aimed at Bragg cell, which spatially modulates phases of plane waves and diffracts waves according to pattern of acoustic signal.
High resolution spectrum analysis of RF signals is required in applications such as the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, RF interference monitoring, or general purpose decomposition of signals. Sub-Hertz resolution in three-dimensional acoustooptic spectrum analysis is theoretically and experimentally demonstrated. The operation of a two-dimensional acoustooptic spectrum analyzer is extended to include time integration over a sequence of CCD frames.
The Galileo Optical communications from an Earth-based Xmtr (GOPEX) demonstration is designed to exhibit deep-space optical communications using the Galileo spacecraft. The optical transmitter consists of a Nd:YAG laser coupled to a 24-in. telescope at the Table Mountain Observatory (TMO), and the receiver is the Solid-State Imaging camera on board Galileo. The objectives of the demonstration are to understand the issues involved in blind-pointing to a spacecraft in deep space, and to assess the quality of the optical uplink by comparing the experimental results with theoretical predictions. The demonstration is proposed for December 1992 during the second earth-flyby period of Galileo's trajectory.
A low data rate laboratory heterodyne link demonstration operating at 1.06 micron using frequency stabilized Nd:YAG lasers was implemented. The data was modulated onto the optical carrier at 100 kbps using binary pulse position modulation. Phase coherent reception was achieved by closing the receiver phase tracking loop around the piezo-electric and temperature-tuned local oscillator laser. Initial frequency acquisition was accomplished by linearly scanning the LO frequency over the uncertainty range while a combined frequency and phase tracking loop searches for a lock indicator signal. The link performance was experimentally evaluated and compared to the theoretical predictions.
The problem of acquiring and tracking a sun-lit earth, which poses a rather stringent demand on the design of the pointing acquisition and tracking subsystem for a deep-space optical communication package, is addressed. The acquisition subsystem must be capable of locating and tracking the receiver location based on a sun-lit earth image that is blurred by the point spread function of the imaging optics and spatially quantized by the detector pixels. Spatial tracking must be performed at bandwidths in excess of 1 kHz to effectively reject platform jitters. A simple solution of locating the earth limb shows a great potential for providing the necessary acquisition and tracking accuracy. By using separate acquisition and tracking detectors, the system can be implemented without extensive technology development. The slow bandwidth required for the acquisition process can be readily accomplished with an available CCD array, and an analog tracking loop can be implemented using a quadrant tracker and calibrated centroid tracking without the excessive computing overhead of the array detector-based spatial tracker.
A development history, current status, and prospective development account are given for deep-space optical communications, giving attention to overall systems-related activities and to the generic technology developments required for their implementation. An account is given of the progression envisioned from laboratory subsystems demonstrations to the full-scale flight experiment for the Mars Communications Relay Orbiter missions.
Two-dimensional acoustooptic spectrum analysis (AOSA) with the associated reference function generator and real-time image processor is presented. The resolution, bandwidth, and analysis time of the two-dimensional AOSA depend on the characteristics. The operation of the two-dimensional AOSA and the experimental considerations for obtaining a high-resolution two-dimensional spectrum in real time are described.
A three-dimensional acoustooptic spectrum analyzer with subhertz resolution is demonstrated experimentally. The first and second dimensions are the two spatial dimensions of the output detector array, and the third dimension is time as sampled by the detector array frame rate. A superfine resolution of 0.12 Hz has been achieved.
In proposed scheme for reception of amplitude- or frequency-modulated signals transmitted optically through atmosphere, main receiver aperture divided into subapertures equipped with receivers, and outputs of receivers combined noncoherently. Multiple subaperture receivers used instead of attempting to focus all light from single large aperture onto one receiver. Outputs of receivers combined after demodulation. System will not perform as well as fully coherent system, but surpasses single-large-aperture system in presence of atmospheric turbulence. Offers superior performance in presence of distorted wavefront and/or imperfect receiver optics.
Technological developments leading toward the use of optical communications on deep-space missions are reviewed. Developments in the characterization of atmospheric visibility and the development of advanced composite materials for use in optical communications systems are discussed. System demonstrations involving the Galileo Optical Experiment and a very lightweight optical communications package intended for the Cassini mission to Saturn are addressed. Proposed flight experiments and a deep-space optical communication long-range plan are discussed.
An account is given of architectural and implementational strategies for the creation of planetary and other deep-space optical communications networks, with a view to the developmental requirements of both planetary spacecraft subsystems and an earth-vicinity reception system. Attention is given to prospective technology-development challenges. An open-loop spatial acquisition process is defined, in conjunction with a terrestrial, large-aperture/low-cost 'photon bucket' optical reception telescopic system having an integral, axially-aligned tube-bundle sunshield. An efficient diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser is envisioned as the transmitter.
The development of key technologies for an optical communications system for deep-space probes is discussed. Aspects of the technology include the pulse-position modulation technique for data transmission, a solid-state laser with a Nd:YAG crystal end, nondiffraction-limited receivers, and the application of avalanche photodiodes to improve photon detection. Mission benefits and flight opportunities and applications are discussed. Experiments to test optical communication systems are being planned for the Space Shuttle and the Mars Rover Sample Return misson. Future missions which will probably use the system include Cassini and the Mariner Mark II.
The architecture of a real-time acoustooptic synthetic aperture radar processor is reviewed and recent efforts to develop a compact processor are presented. It employs an acoustooptic device operated in the space integrating mode to compress the signal in range.
An array of diode lasers, either a two-dimensional array of surface emitting lasers, or a linear array of stripe lasers, is phase locked by a diode laser through a hologram which focuses the output of the diode laser into a set of distinct, spatially separated beams, each one focused onto the back facet of a separate diode laser of the array. The outputs of the diode lasers thus form an emitted coherent beam out of the front of the array.
Phase-coherent emission with negligible far-field supermodes produced by proposed surface-emitting laser-diode array stimulated by holographically directed emission from single master diode. To achieve same coherence and output power, single laser diode requires high power density, which substantially reduces working lifetime. Proposed integrated optical array useful in communications
An account is given of the concepts, techniques, and system design features that may be used to realize an optical communications link for future planetary missions. Such a spacecraft subsystem would encompass a 10-30 cm aperture optical telescope for both transmitting and receiving. Uplink from a laser, in the form of pulsed ranging signals or command information, will be extracted by a tracking detector; downlink data, as well as detected ranging pulses, will be properly formatted and used to modulate the downlink laser. The optical receiving station may be either on the ground or in earth orbit.