FREE SPACE OPTICAL (FSO) SYSTEM
A detector configuration for use in a free space optical (FSO) node for transmitting and/or receiving optical signals has a plurality of sensors for detecting received optical signals. The plurality of sensors is configured along a common optical path and are used for separate functions. According, the detectors may be optimized for the respective function.
1 . A free space optical terminal, comprising:
a wave front sensor comprising a free space in an interior region of the wave front sensor;
a receiver concentric with the free space of the wave front sensor.
2 . The free space optical terminal of claim 1 , wherein the receiver comprises an optical fiber.
3 . The free space optical terminal of claim 2 , wherein the optical fiber is a bi-directional fiber.
4 . The free space optical terminal of claim 2 , wherein the optical fiber is a uni-directional fiber.
5 . The free space optical terminal of claim 1 , wherein the wave front sensor is a plurality of sensors circumscribing a perimeter of the receiver as seen from a front view normal to a receiving surface of the receiver.
6 . The free space optical terminal of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of sensors substantially completes a perimeter around the receiver as seen from the front view.
7 . The free space optical terminal of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of sensors approximately completely completes the perimeter around the receiver as seen from the front view.
8 . The free space optical terminal of claim 5 , wherein a terminal surface of the optical fiber is positioned in plane with a working surface of the plurality of sensors as oriented with respect to an incoming received beam.
9 . The free space optical terminal of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a quadcell.
10 . The free space optical terminal of claim 9 , wherein the free space is defined by a hole in the center of the quadcell.
11 . A free space optical (FSO) terminal, comprising: a wave front sensor used for aligning the system and a detector used to receive a data transmission received on an optical beam, wherein the wave front sensor and the detector are different optical components, the system being configured such that a first portion of the received light is received at the wave front sensor and a second portion of the received light source is received at the detector, where a beam splitter is not used to separate the first portion from the second portion.
12 . The free space optical terminal of claim 11 , wherein the FSO terminal is configured to transmit and receive with common optics.
13 . The free space optical terminal of claim 11 , wherein the first portion and second portion follow the same optical beam path along an entire length within the system.
14 . The free space optical terminal of claim 12 , wherein the first portion circumscribes the second portion.