Extended source transmitter for free space optical communication systems

1. A free-space optical communication system (FSOCS) transmitter, comprising:

a spatially-extended light source including a laser to generate a mode-scrambled optical signal, the spatially extended light source further including a segment of multimode fiber having a first end positioned to receive a laser optical signal produced by the laser and a second end from which a mode-scrambled optical signal is emitted and wherein a portion of the segment of multimode fiber is configured in a series of alternating loops;

a power controller, operatively coupled to drive the laser; and

output optics, optically coupled to receive the mode-scrambled optical signal from the spatially-extended light source and direct the mode-scrambled optical signal outward from the FSOCS transmitter as an optical beam having a controlled divergence.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the end of the segment of multimode fiber is operatively coupled to the laser so as to produce an offset-launched optical signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the segment of multimode fiber consists of two or more separate pieces of multimode fiber that are joined together to be a continuous single strand.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein there are two joined segments of multimode fiber wherein the first segment of multimode fiber comprises a 62.5 micron graded-index core, and the second segment of multimode fiber comprises a 200 micron step-index core.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the two or more segments of multimode fibers are operatively coupled together using one or more fusion splices.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the laser optical signal converges or diverges at an angle that substantially matches a numerical aperture of the multimode fiber.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the mode-scrambled optical signal has a power intensity distribution that has a shape substantially similar to a top hat.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein an output of the spatially-extended light source is located coincident with a focal plane of a collimating lens comprising the output optics.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a data modulator operatively coupled to the spatially-extended light source, the data modulator to modulate the optical beam.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the optical beam has a wavelength from 400 to 1400 nanometers.

11. A method for generating a free space optical communication system (FSOCS) signal, comprising:

producing a mode-scrambled modulated optical signal with a spatially-extended light source by:

operatively coupling a segment of multimode fiber configured in a series of alternating loops; and

directing an optical signal produced by a laser to the first end of the segment of multimode fiber to generate a launched optical signal that is received by the first segment of multimode fiber;

wherein, as the launched optical signal passes through the segment of multimode fiber, it is converted into a mode-scrambled optical signal that serves as a spatially extended light source;

passing the modulated optical signal through a collimating lens to output an optical beam comprising the FSOCS signal.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the segment of multimode fiber consists of two or more separate pieces of multimode fiber, with possibly differing core sizes and index profiles, that have been joined together to form a continuous single strand.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein there are two joined segments of multimode fiber wherein the first segment of multimode fiber comprises a 62.5 micron graded-index core, and the second segment of multimode fiber comprises a 200 micron step-index core.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the optical signal is directed towards the first end of the segment of multimode fiber such that it is received at an offset angle relative to a centerline of an end portion of the segment of multimode fiber.

15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising focusing the optical signal into an end of the segment of multimode fiber such that the optical signal is launched into the end at a point that is offset from a centerline of the multimode fiber.

16. The method of claim 11 , further comprising focusing the optical signal such that it converges at an angle that substantially matches a numerical aperture of the segment of multimode fiber.

17. A free-space optical communication system (FSOCS) transmitter, comprising:

means for generating a spatially-scrambled optical signal that functions as an extended light source, wherein the means for generating a spatially-scrambled optical signal comprises an optical fiber segment configured in a series of alternating loops; and

focusing means, positioned to receive the spatially-scrambled optical signal that is generated and direct the spatially-scrambled optical signal outward from the FSOCS transmitter as a spatially-scrambled optical beam.

18. The FSOCS transmitter of claim 17 , wherein the means for generating a spatially-scrambled optical signal comprises:

lasing means for generating a light signal; and

means for converting the light signal into a mode-scrambled signal.