Conceptual design and analysis of a compact liquid crystal on silicon non-mechanical optical beam steering antenna for lean platforms

F. Ishola; D. Kolev; H. Kunimori; A. Carrasco-Casado; H. Tsuji; M. Toyoshima

doi:10.1117/12.2648857

15 March 2023 Conceptual design and analysis of a compact liquid crystal on silicon non-mechanical optical beam steering antenna for lean platforms

F. Ishola, D. Kolev, H. Kunimori, A. Carrasco-Casado, H. Tsuji, M. Toyoshima

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 12413, Free-Space Laser Communications XXXV; 124130N (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2648857
Event: SPIE LASE, 2023, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

We present concept design of an innovative, compact, non-mechanical optical beam steering antenna with a liquid crystal beam shaper optimized for lean platforms. Laser communication terminals in air and space-borne platforms must fulfil the low-SWaP (size, weight, and power) design philosophy which is often a challenging task when utilizing mechanical steerers like prisms, MEMS fast steering mirrors, lenslet arrays, gimbal movers etc. We introduce the approach of a compact photonics integrated circuit consisting of power division network, optical phase array antennas and liquid crystal on silicon structure to form a laser transmitting module for a CubeSat. An Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier provide adequate optical power output that can facilitate a baseline free-space communication link margin at 1550nm. The design parameters were tuned to achieve to minimal divergence and adequate beam steering angle, higher EIRP, high beam switching speed and tolerance of space environmental conditions. Applications are numerous and not limited to optical communication terminals on drones, aircrafts, and satellites; automotive LiDAR systems, medical and scientific instrumentation devices are also promising areas of rapid adoption and integration.

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Citation Download Citation

F. Ishola, D. Kolev, H. Kunimori, A. Carrasco-Casado, H. Tsuji, and M. Toyoshima "Conceptual design and analysis of a compact liquid crystal on silicon non-mechanical optical beam steering antenna for lean platforms", Proc. SPIE 12413, Free-Space Laser Communications XXXV, 124130N (15 March 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2648857

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