Free space optical communicationprojects

The highly contested space environment demands secure, reliable, and resilient communications. CACI’s low-risk optical communication, sensing, and processing technology enables the success of some of our nation’s most critical missions from the battlefield to deep space.

CACI’s optical communication, sensing, and processing solutions are the U.S. government’s preferred choice for secure communications across several orbits and missions.

Free Space optical communicationppt

CACI’s optical technologies enable highly secure communications in RF-challenged, restricted, or denied environments. Optical carrier frequencies can transmit more data with lower SWaP than comparable RF systems. Our optical technology has deployed onboard missions such as NASA’s integrated laser communications relay demonstration (LCRD) Low Earth Orbit User Modem and Amplifier Terminal (ILLUMA-T) now operating on the International Space Station.CICADA® PDF

CACI’s CrossBeam was the first Space Development Agency (SDA)-compliant terminal to successfully complete optical communication terminal (OCT) interoperability testing - establishing a consistent data communication link with the reference modem.

Free SpaceOptics equipment

CACI produces advanced photonics-based communications, sensing, and processing technologies for space, air, land, and maritime environments. These include optical modems and terminals; high-power sources for free-space optical (FSO) communication and remote sensing; and space exploration systems.

Read Linda Braun’s latest commentary, “Lighting the Future: How CACI is Revolutionizing Optical and Photonic Solutions,” to learn more about our advancements in optical communications for our defense, intelligence, and other national security customers.

Free space optical communicationcompanies

CACI’s CrossBeam was the first Space Development Agency (SDA)-compliant terminal to successfully complete optical communication terminal (OCT) interoperability testing - establishing a consistent data communication link with the reference modem.

CACI’s laser sensing technology enables near-term airborne and space light detection and ranging (LiDAR) applications mainly for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, where there is an increased need for wide-area surveillance and long-range object identification.

Aspheric lenses have much lower f-numbers, allowing them to perform better than spherical lenses in light collection, projection, illumination, detection and condensing applications. Since the focal lengths are often very short, compact designs are frequently possible. Precision polished aspheric lenses are computer-optimized to achieve diffraction limited performance over high NAs and are available uncoated or with broadband visible or broadband NIR antireflection coatings. For more economic or OEM applications, our aspheric condenser lenses are fabricated from Schott B 270® glass and are available uncoated or with a single-layer MgF2 antireflection coating. If small diameter lenses are required, our molded glass aspheric lenses with visible or NIR antireflection coatings are available mounted in a stainless steel threaded holder or unmounted. Aspheric objective lenses are also available that offer the same magnification and on-axis performance as microscope objectives in a more compact package.

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Advantages offree space optical communication

Regardless of the satellite manufacturer, CACI is often the secret ingredient to the most successful optical communications missions. We bring a rare synergy of research and development coupled with our valuable intellectual property to meet ever-increasing mission demands.​

Aspheric lenses have much lower f-numbers, allowing them to perform better than spherical lenses in light collection, projection, illumination, detection and condensing applications. Since the focal lengths are often very short, compact designs are frequently possible. Precision polished aspheric lenses are computer-optimized to achieve diffraction limited performance over high NAs and are available uncoated or with broadband visible or broadband NIR antireflection coatings. For more economic or OEM applications, our aspheric condenser lenses are fabricated from Schott B 270® glass and are available uncoated or with a single-layer MgF2 antireflection coating. If small diameter lenses are required, our molded glass aspheric lenses with visible or NIR antireflection coatings are available mounted in a stainless steel threaded holder or unmounted. Aspheric objective lenses are also available that offer the same magnification and on-axis performance as microscope objectives in a more compact package.

CACI’s laser communications technology is aboard NASA’s Psyche spacecraft, a first-of-its-kind deep space and optical communications (DSOC) technology demonstration mission to the Psyche asteroid.

Our multi-disciplinary teams, located in California, Florida, and New Jersey, design and build the most mature optical communications technologies right here in the United States. For more than two decades, we have developed advanced capabilities that meet and exceed U.S. government requirements​ – and are ready to deploy in support of deep space exploration and space operations from a variety of orbits, including low earth (LEO),  medium earth (MEO), highly elliptical (HEO), and geostationary (GEO).

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How doesfree space optical communicationwork

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CACI’s optical technologies enable highly secure communications in RF-challenged, restricted, or denied environments. Optical carrier frequencies can transmit more data with lower SWaP than comparable RF systems. Our optical technology has deployed onboard missions such as NASA’s integrated laser communications relay demonstration (LCRD) Low Earth Orbit User Modem and Amplifier Terminal (ILLUMA-T) now operating on the International Space Station.

Our technologies increase efficiency through tradeoffs between range and bandwidth and enable low probability of intercept (LPI) and low probability of detection (LPD) with reduced size, weight, and power (SWaP) and inherent immunity to radio frequency (RF) interference and jamming.

CACI’s laser sensing technology enables near-term airborne and space light detection and ranging (LiDAR) applications mainly for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, where there is an increased need for wide-area surveillance and long-range object identification.

CACI’s laser communications technology is aboard NASA’s Psyche spacecraft, a first-of-its-kind deep space and optical communications (DSOC) technology demonstration mission to the Psyche asteroid.

Whether it’s for land, air, or space, our people continually develop new applications for a range of missions – from tactical operations to national intelligence needs.