New Space Race Driven by Laser-Based Communications
An article by Jérémy Picot-Clémente in Laser Focus World entitled “New space race: Photonics is revolutionizing satellite networks” describes the revolution in satellite networks and related global infrastructure. A critical factor that unites the new generation of satellite constellations is the use of advanced photonics technologies to enhance inter-satellite communications, replacing radio frequency communications. From free-space optical communication to inter-satellite laser links, photonics is enabling high-speed, secure, and low-latency data transfer essential for modern satellite constellations.
This article highlights developments at Iridian Spectral Technologies:
One of the companies in the forefront of these advances is Iridian Spectral Technologies. To provide wavelength selectivity and beam steering functionality, optical filters are crucial for ensuring the high performance and efficiency of both inter-satellite communication and optical ground stations. Since 1998, the Canadian company Iridian Spectral Technologies has manufactured a range of custom filters designed to deliver “more signal, with less background.”
As an example, Iridian’s solar rejection filter allows the transmission of the inter-satellite communication band (typically around 1550 nm) between satellites, while blocking the background solar radiation, to provide improved signal-to-noise and help minimize solar heating inside the satellite.
Iridian also makes dichroic filters that steer and combine the different send and receive wavelength channels, as well as laser bandpass filters for cleaning up the signal at the detectors.
About Iridian Spectral Technologies
Iridian Spectral Technologies is a diversified optical filter manufacturer that is an international leader in filter design and manufacture especially for application in the fields of fiber optic communications, biomedical optical spectroscopy, 3D entertainment, and aerospace. Iridian draws on more than two decades of experience to provide:
- Bandpass filters
- Edge pass filters
- Gain flattening filters
- Notch filters
- Multi-zone filters (MZF)
- Custom filters
- Dichroic filters and beam splitters
- LaseReflect® LRG glasses
- Stray light (black) absorbers
- Etalons
- Linear transmittance filters (LTF)
- Tap couplers
To request more information or a quotation for Iridian products, contact IL Photonics.