Free Space Optical Communication for Terrestrial & Space Applications

• Organiser

  Reto Muff, Thales Alenia Space, Switzerland

• Day & Time

  22.09.2022, 08:30 – 12:30

• Location

  Room Singapore

• Description

  Freespace Optical Communication (FSO) has become an impressive momentum over the past years. For a long time, FSO applications for space borne systems have been deployed as niche and at significant cost. Global efforts to make reliable use of novel technologies and building blocks developed for non-space applications («COTS») now pay off and the deployment of FSO for a large range of space-based use cases has become reality.

  In parallel to the space domain, FSO has become an alternate to other classical communication means and will further grow in importance helping to overcome bottlenecks in RF arising from the ever-growing capacity needs of mankind.

  This Symposium is intended to give a updated overview on the status on development and deployment of FSO in the various scenario, such as Space based systems, mid and short range FSO in atmosphere but will also address enabling technologies to support specific needs for FSO systems.

• Programme

  08:30 – 10:15: Session 1:
   08:30: Introduction
   08:35: Seamless Connectivity in and to Space via Optical Links, Harald Mathias Hauschildt / Josep Maria Perdigues Armengol, ESA, Netherlands
   09:00: Connectivity for Deep Space missions and Exploration via Optical Communication, Klaus Jürgen Schulz / Clemens Heese, ESOC, Germany
   09:25: Optical Communication in "New Space" – Constellations, Networks, Synergies, Mark Gregory, TESAT SpaceCom, Germany
   09:50: Optical Communication for Space – Space-to-Ground, Cyrille Laborde & Klaus Buchheim, Thales Alenia Space, France & Switzerland

  Coffee break (30 min)

  10:45 – 12:30: Session 2:
   10:45: Next-generation Wireless: Connecting the World with Taara Wireless Optical Communications (WOC), Devin Brinkley, X - Alphabet's moonshot factory, USA
   11:10: Visible Light Communication, Benjamin Azoulay, OLEDcomm, France
   11:35: Ground-space links: key role of adaptive optics and current challenges, Jean-Marc Conan, ONERA, France
   12:00: Discussion & Closing

• Speakers

  Speakers 4: Cyrille Laborde & Klaus Buchheim, Thales Alenia Space, France & Switzerland
  Title: Optical Communication for Space – Space-to-Ground
  Biography: Cyrille Laborde is the Product Line Manager of Quantum and Optical Communications in Thales Alenia Space. He has 25 years of engineering activities in space industry starting from Earth Observation equipment, Infrared systems, High Resolution Earth Observation Systems and now Optical Communications and Quantum systems since 5 years.
  Klaus Buchheim is the Manager Bids & Business Development in Thales Alenia Space Switzerlando. Hes has more than 15 years experience in the Swiss Space industry and spending the same amount of years working with optical communication products.

  Speaker 5: Devin Brinkley, X - Alphabet's moonshot factory, USA
  Title: Next-generation Wireless: Connecting the World with Taara Wireless Optical Communications (WOC)
  Abstract: We will discuss Wireless Optical Communication (WOC) and its pioneering role in a future with ubiquitous, affordable broadband internet. We will introduce WOC fundamentals, with a focus on the technology pillars of Taara’s WOC design that have allowed us to balance performance with cost-effective manufacturing. We will conclude with examples from our real-world deployments that demonstrate the impact of this innovative technology when applied to the global connectivity challenge.
  Biography: Devin Brinkley is the engineering lead for Project Taara, X's moonshot to expand global access to fast, affordable internet with beams of light. Devin has been active in developing advanced optical communication technologies and products for nearly two decades. He previously led multiple Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) programs, a high production Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement Systems (MILES) program and the Wireless Optical Communication hardware development on Project Loon.

  Speaker 7: Jean-Marc Conan, ONERA, France
  Title: Ground-space links: key role of adaptive optics and current challenges
  Abstract: Context: ground-space channel w/wo adaptive optics: LEO vs GEO, Down- vs Up-link. Current Challenges: i. Innovative strategies: in adaptive optics (optimal control, integrated optics solutions...), in digital communications, possibly co-design; ii. Link availability assessment through simulations (inputs required to feed fast modeling tools); iii. Experimental demonstration to mature the whole hardware chain (a word on recent achievements FEEDELIO, VERTIGO, FEELINGS...); iv. Exploration of various applications with specific quality metrics (high throughput telecom, satellite telecom data downlink, QKD, frequency dissemination...).
  Biography: PhD in physics obtained in 1994 followed by 30 years of research in Adaptive Optics applied to astronomy, defense, biology and optical links (FEEDELIO and VERTIGO projects...).