Kilowatt Level Uplinks for Deep Space Optical Communications

In a prior program, Optical Engines was able to achieve 300 W average CW power in a Packaged Deep Space uplink transmitter delivered to JPL. In order to meet the stated JPL goal of 500W of average power with a 20% duty factor in a low data rate configuration, over 3kW of pump power will be required. In order to operate with the nested high data rate option, mj level pulse energies at high average powers will need to be achieved. These performance requirements call for novel and unique designs in order to navigate a potential system around fiber non linearities and thermal modal instabilities. Optical Engines proposes to develop a 1030nm counter pumped composite microstructured fiber based transmitter system. To accomplish this a counter pumped fiber combiner and a specific double mode adapter will be developed and demonstrated, with the 500W average power 2500 W peak power low data rate configuration being developed and demonstrated along with designs for the nested high data rate configuration being completed. More »