Patent ID: 6222658
Filing Date: 2001-04-24
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
A method of free space satellite communications comprising the steps of:receiving a phase modulated optical communications signal within a satellite, wherein the phase modulated optical communication signal has been formed by phase modulating an optical carrier signal with a broad band frequency division multiplexed communication signal;passing the signal through an optical heterodyne receiver to produce a broad band frequency division multiplexed communication signal;splitting off a part of the signal for on-board satellite processing;combining in a power combiner the balance of the signal with a radio frequency signal from an on-board source of the satellite to form a combined broad band frequency division multiplexed communication signal;phase modulating an optical carrier signal with the broad band frequency division multiplexed signal by mixing the multiplexed signal with the optical carrier signal in an electro-optic modulator to produce a phase modulated optical communications signal; andtransmitting the phase modulated optical communications signal into free space.