Long Range OISL Modem

Long-range optical crosslinks are key enablers for an expanding and resilient space architecture that will rely on low-latency and high-rate direct links between spacecraft in geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO), Medium Earth Orbits (MEO), and across orbital domains. While numerous efforts are underway to develop low-cost short-range terminals for proliferated low earth orbit (PLEO) constellations, engineering of long-range terminals requires a dedicated focus on specific needs for these orbital domains and mission sets that typically require higher reliability and longer mission life in harsher orbital environments, tighter pointing controls, and waveforms tailored to efficiently transmit data over extended distances. Fibertek is ideally suited to meet the Space Development Agency’s need for Proliferated Warfighter Defense Architecture (PWDA), specifically low data rate and long range links from LEO to MEO (L2M) and LEO to GEO (L2G) ranges. Fibertek proposes to develop, demonstrate, and deliver a Long Range OISL modem with Burst-OOK and/or PPM waveforms while maintaining compliance to the SDA OCT v3.1.0 standard supporting the long range and low data rate links required for the PWDA.  The proposed solution leverages previous SBIR programs developing the required electronics suite for a Long Range OISL modem.  The modem will support Fibertek’s internal laser communication terminals and other industry partner’s terminals.   Key features include: - Utilization of Burst-OOK and/or PPM Waveforms: Enabling SWaP-C efficient long-range (10,000’s km) and lower-data rate (1-100s Mbps) links by leveraging the same waveforms and standards as the LEO OISL terminals used in the Tranche 1 Transport Layer to achieve full compatibility with OCT v3.1.0. - Modular Modem Design: Key system functionality (Firmware Defined Optical Modem (FDOM), Transmitter Board and Receiver Board) is distributed across 3 slices allowing for focused spiral updates without having to redesign the entire modem, i.e., incorporating a future higher sensitivity detector only requires an update to the Rx board. - Spiral Upgrade of Heritage Design: The long-range modem is a spiral upgrade to Fibertek’s current modem leveraging mature electronic boards developed for long-range optical link minimizing development costs and key functional firmware blocks. The proposed Long Range OISL Direct to Phase II program consists of: - 12-month Base Period: Build and deliver a fully SDA compliant Long-Range OISL modem by 1) integrating the FDOM with the transceiver cards and 2) implementing a new firmware to SDA standards and enable long-range optimized waveforms (Burst OOK and PPM). - 6-month Option Period: The Long Range OISL modem will be 1) assessed to TRL-6 requirements including TVAC and vibration testing and 2) validate SDA compliance requirements at the Naval Research Laboratory’s test site.