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Optical Terminal
What is an Optical Terminal?
An Optical Terminal is a photonic system that transmits and/or receives information using optical signals through free space. It typically combines a laser source, optical modulation, beam steering, pointing and tracking, and optical detection to establish a high-speed optical communication link.
Optical terminals are a key component of free-space optical communication, particularly for satellite-to-satellite and satellite-to-ground links, where narrow laser beams enable high data rates and require precise alignment.
How an Optical Terminal Works
An optical terminal converts electrical data into an optical signal, directs the resulting laser beam toward a remote terminal, and receives and processes incoming optical signals.
Optical signal generation
Electrical data is encoded onto a laser carrier using an optical modulator.
Beam transmission and alignment
The optical beam is expanded and directed toward the remote terminal using optical components and a Pointing, Acquisition and Tracking (PAT) system.
Signal reception
The receiving optics collect the incoming beam, focus it onto an optical detector, and convert the received optical signal into an electrical signal for further processing.
