The High Bandwidth, Free-Space Optical Communications Enabling Capability consists of two separate products: a laser terminal and a modulating retro-reflector that can be interrogated by a laser terminal.
The laser terminal product is developing a full-duplex, line-of-sight terminal capable of communicating in direct mode (to another terminal) or in retro-reflector mode to a modulated retro-reflector unit. The terminal will have automatic pointing, acquisition and tracking to maintain links without user intervention. The objective of this product is to support data rates of 100 Mbps or greater and ranges between 16 and 70 kilometers, depending on the elevation of the terminal.
The modulating retro-reflector product is a low cost, weather-hardened modulating retro-reflector terminal. The retro-reflector is interrogated by a laser terminal that sends back information using the incident optical energy. The modulating retroreflector unit is intended for temporary use or installation on disadvantaged platforms, sensors and individuals where size, weight and power restrictions preclude the use of a laser terminal. The objective of this product is to support data rates between 2 to 45 Mbps and ranges between 5 and 19 kilometers, depending on the elevation of the modulating retro-reflector unit.
The technologies will be transitioned to the U.S. Marine Corps to provide high-bandwidth communication links to supplement existing communication options at air fields, forward operating bases, tactical ground platforms, and with individual marines.