J. P. Phillips

80 Gb/s free-space optical communication demonstration between an aerostat and a ground terminal

A free-space optical (FSO) communication demonstration was conducted with JHU/APL and AOptix at the TCOM Test Facility in Elizabeth City, NC in May 2006. The primary test objective was to evaluate the performance of an FSO link from a fiber-tethered aerostat to a ground platform at effective data rates approaching 100 Gigabits/sec using wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) techniques. (Multiple optical channels operating near 1550 nm were modulated at data rates of 1, 10 and 40 Gbps). The test was conducted with a 38 meter aerostat raised to an altitude of 1 km and a ground platform located 1.2 km from the aerostat (limited by property boundary). Error free data transfers of 1.2 Terabits in 30 seconds at 40 Gbps were demonstrated. The total data transferred during the test was greater than 30 Terabits with an average BER of 10-6 without any forward error correction (FEC) coding.

Long distance laser communications demonstration

AOptix demonstrated a simulated air-to-air laser communications (laser-com) system over a 147Km distance by establishing a laser communication link between the islands of Hawaii and Maui. We expect the atmospheric conditions encountered during this demonstration to be representative of the worst seeing conditions that could be expected for an actual air to air link. AOptix utilized laser-com terminal incorporating Adaptive Optics (AO) to perform high speed tracking and aberration correction to reduce the effects of the seeing. The demonstration showed the feasibility of establishing high data rate point to point laser-com links between aircraft. In conjunction with Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory networking equipment we were able to demonstrate a 40Gbit DWDM link, providing significantly more data throughput than is available using RF technologies. In addition to being very high data rate, the link demonstrates very low beam spread, which gives very high covertness, and a high degree of data security. Since the link is based on 1550nm optical wavelengths it is inherently resistant to jamming.

Demonstration of high-data-rate wavelength division multiplexed transmission over a 150-km free space optical link

A 150 km free-space optical (FSO) communication link between Maui (Haleakala) and Hawaii (Mauna Loa) was demonstrated by JHU/APL and AOptix Technologies, Inc. in September 2006. Over a 5 day period, multiple configurations including single channel 2.5 Gbps transmission, single channel 10 Gbps, and four wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) 10 Gbps channels for an aggregate data rate of 40 Gbps were demonstrated. Links at data rates from 10 to 40 Gb/s were run in excess of 3 contiguous hours. Data on the received power, frame synchronization losses, and bit error rate were recorded. This paper will report on the data transfer performance (bit error rates, frame synchronization issues) of this link over a 5 day period. A micropulse lidar was run concurrently, and on a parallel path with the FSO link, recording data on scattering loss and visibility. Comparisons between the state of the link due to weather and the data transfer performance will be described.

Optical and mid-infrared observations of the planetary nebula NGC 6781

Although the planetary nebula NGC 6781 appears to possess an elliptical morphology, its kinematic and emission characteristics are in many ways unusual, and it is possible that it may represent a bipolar source oriented close to the line of sight. We shall present deep imaging of this nebula in [O III] λ5007, Hα and [N II] λ6584, and using broad-band (F555W and F814W) filters centred at λ8269 and λ5252. These were taken with the 2.56-m Nordic Optical Telescope and Hubble Space Telescope. This is combined with mid-infrared (MIR) imaging and spectroscopy acquired with the Spitzer Space Telescope (Spitzer), and nearinfrared spectroscopy deriving from the Infrared Space Observatory. These reveal details of the complex [N II] structure associated with extended shell emission, perhaps associated with highly inclined bipolar lobes. We also note the presence of narrow absorbing filaments and clumps projected against the surface of the envelope, components which may be responsible for much of the molecular emission. We point out that such clumps may be responsible for complex source structure in the MIR, and give rise to asymmetries in emission along the major axis of the source. Although most of the MIR H2 v = 0–0 emission is clearly concentrated in the bright interior shell, we shall also find evidence for extended emission to the north and south, and determine rotational excitation temperatures of order ∼980 K.

Demonstration of High Data Rate Wavelength Division Multiplexed Transmission over a 150 km Free Space Optical Link

A 150 km free-space optical (FSO) communication link between Maui (Haleakala) and Hawaii (Mauna Loa) was demonstrated by JHU/APL and AOptix Technologies, Inc. in September 2006. Over a 5 day period, multiple configurations including single channel 2.5 Gbps transmission, single channel 10 Gbps, and four wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) 10 Gbps channels for an aggregate data rate of40 Gbps were demonstrated. Links at data rates from 10 to 40 Gb/s were run in excess of 3 contiguous hours. Data on the received power, frame synchronization losses, and bit error rate were recorded.

The structure of the planetary nebula NGC 2371 in the visible and mid‐infrared

We investigate the structure of the planetary nebula NGC 2371 using [O iii] λ5007 imaging taken with the Jacobus Kapteyn 1.0 m telescope, and [N ii] λ6584, [O iii] λ5007 and Hα results acquired with the Hubble Space Telescope. These are supplemented with archival mid-infrared (MIR) observations taken with the Spitzer Space Telescope. We note the presence of off-axis low-ionization spokes along a position angle of 65°, and associated collars of enhanced [O iii] emission. The spokes appear to consist of dense condensations having low-excitation tails, possibly arising due to ultraviolet shadowing and/or ram-pressure stripping of material. Line ratios imply that most of the emission arises through photoionization, and is unlikely to derive from post-shock cooling regions. An analysis of these features in the MIR suggests that they may also be associated with high levels of emission from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), together with various permitted and forbidden line transitions. Such high levels of PAH emission, where they are confirmed, may develop as a result of preferentially enhanced far-ultraviolet pumping of the molecules, or shattering of larger grains within local shocks. Although H2 emission may also contribute to these trends, it is argued that shock-excited transitions would lead to markedly differing results. We finally note that thin filaments and ridges of [O iii] emission may indicate the presence of shock activity at the limits of the interior envelope, as well as at various positions within the shell itself. We also note that radially increasing fluxes at 3.6, 5.8 and 8.0 μm, relative to the emission at 4.5  μm, may arise due to enhanced PAH emission in external photodissociative regions.

Choosing the right video interface for military vision systems

This paper discusses how GigE Vision® video interfaces – the technology used to transfer data from a camera or image sensor to a mission computer or display – help designers reduce the cost and complexity of military imaging systems, while also improving usability and increasing intelligence for end-users. The paper begins with a detailed review of video connectivity approaches commonly used in military imaging systems, followed by an overview on the GigE Vision standard. With this background, the design, cost, and performance benefits that can be achieved when employing GigE Vision-compliant video interfaces in a vetronics retrofit upgrade project are outlined.

Multichannel high-data-rate optical transmission between ground and airborne platforms

This paper describes the results of an experiment where an FSO link was established between a ground terminal and an airborne terminal on a tethered aerostat. In the first part of the experiment, four 10 Gb/s WDM channels were transmitted from the aerostat to the ground terminal, demonstrating error-free performance over many 5 minute windows. In the second part of the experiment, both one and two WDM channels, each running at a native 40 Gb/s rate, were transmitted over the FSO link, demonstrating error free performance over short (30 second) timeframes, and bit error rates in the 10-6 range over longer term operation. During all tests, a 1 Gb/s optical Ethernet channel was run on a separate WDM channel. The paper will describe the test configuration as well as the results when running both single and multiple channels. The impact of the overall system design used for this experiment on the link integrity will be analyzed and discussed. It was found that the spatial dynamics of the aerostat as a function of time of day had an impact on the quality of the link - this will also be discussed. Modeling of potential penalty sources will also be discussed.

Optics and the mechanical system of the 62-cm telescope at the Severo Díaz Galindo Observatory in Guadalajara, Jalisco, México

We present the results of a modification performed in the optical system of the 62 cm telescope (f/14.32) at observatory “Severo Díaz Galindo” Universidad de Guadalajara, Mexico. This modification consists of a change of distance between the primary and secondary mirrors from 1020 to 1135 mm. With this, a change in the image plane from 5200 mm to 600 mm, measured from the vertex of the primary mirror, is obtained. The latter allow to get the first astronomical images of The Telescope. This modification was necessary because alignment errors, such as distance between primary and secondary mirrors in the original system were presented. Besides, the telescope has a new accurate and adequate mechanical system installed on November 2011. Details and the first images obtained, are here presented.