Patent ID: 6498668
Filing Date: 2002-12-24
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
A system for directing a communication beam through a transit distance onto a target optical fiber over a terrestrial free-space optical data link, wherein the communication beam emanates from a transmit optical fiber and the system comprises:a transmitter optically connected with the transmit optical fiber, the transmitter including an optical element for directing the communication beam along a path from the transmit optical fiber toward the target optical fiber; a means for generating a beacon beam optically connected with the optical element of the transmitter for directing the beacon beam along the path with the communication beam as a combined common beam; a receiver positioned at the transit distance from the transmitter for collecting the common beam and for focusing the common beam to a focal point; a camera for receiving scattered light from the focal point to determine a displacement distance between the focal point of the common beam and the target optical fiber; and an alignment means for reducing the displacement distance to a null to make the focal point of the common beam incident on the target optical fiber.