Oerlikon Contraves Ag

Contraves Space Ag

Carsten Meier

Edgar Fischer

Klaus Pribil

A device is used for generating error signals for regulating the optical alignment of two lightwaves in connection with coherent heterodyne reception and comprises a receiver device ( ) arranged focused opposite a front face at the end of a lightwave fiber ( ) in order to make possible the transmission of the received information lightwave through the lightwave fiber ( ) to an optical waveguide coupler ( ), which is connected via a further lightwave fiber ( ) with a local laser ( ) and via two further lightwave fibers ( ) with respectively one detector ( ) for generating at least one error signal (Sr). A piezoelectric deflection unit ( ) acts on this front face of the lightwave fiber ( ) located in the focusing area of the receiving device.

Method and device for generating an error signal in connection with coherent heterodyne reception of lightwaves

A device for the control of the beam alignment in satellite laser communications systems has a digital signal processor ( ), which has been inserted between an input interface ( ) and an output interface ( ), and to which a program memory ( ) and a data memory ( ) are separately connected, in which parameters are also stored, and which comprises sensors ( ) and actuators ( ) for aligning the laser beam with the counter station. The signal processor ( ) contains an intermediate memory ( ) for floating point and fixed point operations and further calculating units ( ), as well as two access generators ( ). Highly flexible and very efficient control systems can be implemented by the employment of such a digital signal processor. By means of an adaptive control it is still possible to operate beam alignment systems at full performance levels, even after components have been degraded. The adjustment outlay for the optical components is drastically reduced because of auto-calibration.

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Zurich, Switzerland

Carsten Meier