Free Space Optical Communications (FSO)

Free space optical communications (FSO) is now common for point to point communications between fixed locations on land, and is also used for communication between moving platforms on land, on the surface of the sea, in air, and in space. Free space implies that it is not practical to use optical fiber to connect the points that need to communicate or exchange telemetry data. After the cold war in the new environment of GWOT, U.S. submarines are capable of accomplishing missions that would require them to be at periscope depth, communicating critical information at high data rate with the other moving platforms. Submarines' covert surveillance abilities are capable of attaining important tactical information, however, that information may be of greatest value when it is communicated in real time, at high fidelity, to other platforms that are participating in joint operations and to high level decision makers. Free space optical communications (FSO) can provide covert, difficult to jam or intercept, high speed, broadband connectivity for submarines with other platforms. In addition, there are test scenarios that include requirements for telemetry of large volumes of data. Free space optical communications (FSO) would provide the infrastructure to support those telemetry requirements. This paper will discuss the current implementations of free space optical communications (FSO) and telemetry, and will describe concepts for integrating this capability into the existing and future DoD and submarine applications.