Patent ID: 7606496

Claim:
A laser communications and position location system for transmitting data and comprising a laser transmitter and a laser receiver, said laser transmitter further comprising: a laser array radiating a plurality of modulated laser beams upward at convergence angles, whereby the modulated laser beams converge at a free space junction at an altitude determined by the convergence angles, wherein said modulated laser beams are scattered at said free space junction, and wherein said laser receiver receives scattered modulated laser beam light and recovers the data, wherein the modulated laser beams form a convergence apex at the free space junction for providing a concentrated laser density area for promoting ability of the receiver to detect the scattered beams; a modulator for modulating the laser array with the data to provide the modulated laser beams; a data source for providing the data; and wherein the laser transmitter further comprises a data link for transmitting an approximate position of the free space junction to the laser receiver to assist in finding the free space junction.