Abstract
An all-optical free-space network among satellites with each satellite acting as a switchboard in the sky is proposed. Each switchboard on a satellite have physically independent optical input ports and output ports. It is conceivable that each port is reversible and acts as both an input and output port. The scanner ports connect the satellite optical switchboard to the switchboards of other satellites in orbit. Depending on the distance between two communicating satellites and light power levels, information signals might be amplified before being routed to another satellite. Amplification might be done optically or electronically, in which case optical-to-electrical-to-optical conversion will be required.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 211-212 |
| Number of pages | 2 |
| Journal | Conference Proceedings - Lasers and Electro-Optics Society Annual Meeting-LEOS |
| Volume | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 1998 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | Proceedings of the 1998 11th Annual Meeting IEEE Lasers and Electro-Optics Society, LEOS. Part 2 (of 2) - Orlando, FL, USA Duration: 1 Dec 1998 → 4 Dec 1998 |