Air Vehicle Communication in a Denied Environment Navy SBIR FY2014.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2014.2 Topic No.: N142-095 Topic Title: Air Vehicle Communication in a Denied Environment Proposal No.: N142-095-0439 Firm: SA Photonics 130A Knowles Dr. Los Gatos, California 95032 Contact: Dave Pechner Phone: (408) 781-7416 Web Site: www.saphotonics.com Abstract: Free Space Optical (FSO) communications provide numerous advantages over traditional RF based wireless systems including high data rates, long link distances, low probability of interception and detection, resistance to jamming, and low Size Weight and Power. These advantages are however hampered by the challenges of operating through the atmosphere which creates scintillation and absorption that can disrupt the communication link. For FSO links operating upon vehicles travelling at high velocities, additional challenges are introduced by aero-optical effects due to plane generated turbulence, which creates distortion that further impairs the communication link. For military applications, a key advantage of FSO communication links are their ability to operate through RF denied environments. In such cases, RF communications are disabled and FSO links will allow continuous and robust communication. However, RF denied environments present challenges for many FSO systems that rely on RF links for initial acquisition. To address the needs of the Navy, SA Photonics is pleased to propose the development of the RapidEye FSO system. RapidEye will utilize SA Photonics field proven technology for atmospheric on-the-move FSO systems. RapidEye is specifically designed to provide high data rate communication for supersonic aircraft such as the F/A-18 and F-35. Benefits: The RapidEye system is being designed to support operation at velocities up to Mach 2 and to provide robust and reliable communications for air-to-air and air-to-ground applications. The high data rates and long link distances provide by RapidEye will create new opportunities for improved real-time situational awareness and live video distribution. Although RapidEye is designed for supersonic vehicles, the compact size and low power will also support operation upon more common subsonic aircraft and even small UAVs such as Scan Eagle. Return