Field conjugation adaptive arrays for reliable satellite downlink coherent laser communications

Abstract

We analyze the performance of adaptive field conjugation array receivers in satellite downlink coherent laser communications. We consider coherent fiber arrays consisting of multiple subapertures, with each subaperture interfaced to a single-mode fiber. We quantify how field conjugation processing improves performance in the presence of turbulence, as compared to a monolithic-aperture coherent receiver having an equal total cross-sectional area. In general, the performance of such a field conjugation adaptive should improve with an increasing number of subapertures and, given a fixed collecting area, the fiber array system can offer superior performance.