Patent ID: 8155527

Claim:
An apparatus for sending and receiving free space optical signals, comprising: an accelerometer for measuring first acceleration data relating to the apparatus; a timer for providing first time data that is indicative of a time of measurement of the first acceleration data; a data input port for receiving external data from a first external source; an encoder in communication with the accelerometer, the timer and the data input port, the encoder configured for providing an encoded signal comprising the first acceleration data, the first time data, and first payload data, the first payload data based on the external data; an emitter for launching a first optical signal along a free space optical communications pathway, the first optical signal comprising the encoded signal; an optical sensor for sensing a second optical signal that is emitted from a second apparatus, the second apparatus also being an apparatus for sending and receiving free space optical signals; a decoder for extracting from the second optical signal second acceleration data relating to the second apparatus, second time data indicative of a time of measurement of the second acceleration data, and second payload data, the second payload data provided to the second apparatus from a second external source; a processor for determining alignment data for supporting free space optical communication between the apparatus and the second apparatus at a future time; and, an actuator for adjusting an alignment status of the emitter and of the optical sensor based on the alignment data, wherein the alignment data is determined based on the first acceleration data, the first time data, the second acceleration data and the second time data.