Coarse and Fine Pointing Assemblies for beam pointing and stabilization in laser communication terminals and optical ground stations.
Beam Pointing Systems (CPA / FPA)
Coarse and Fine Pointing Assemblies for beam pointing and stabilization in laser communication terminals and optical ground stations.
Description
GA-Synopta's beam pointing systems comprise Coarse Pointing Assemblies (CPAs), which cover a hemispherical angular pointing range for ground-based and space-qualified applications, and Fine Pointing Assemblies (FPAs), which provide high-dynamics beam stabilization over a smaller mechanical range using two-axis gimballed mirrors. The CPA 135 variant is space-qualified and used in laser communication terminals on GEO and LEO Earth-observation satellites, in series production; the CPA 270 targets ground-based systems operating in harsh environmental conditions. Both families are optimizable for the visual spectral range as well as 1064 nm and 1550 nm wavelengths for laser communication links.
Specifications
| CPA 270 max beam diameter | Ø 270 mm (ground-based, harsh environmental conditions) |
|---|---|
| CPA 135 max beam diameter | Ø 135 mm (space-qualified, series production for GEO/LEO LCTs) |
| CPA 70 | Smaller beam diameter variant, space qualification program |
| CPA pointing error | < 30 µrad |
| CPA induced wavefront error | typically < 25 nm rms |
| CPA wavelength options | Visual spectral range; optimized variants at 1064 nm and/or 1550 nm |
| FPA angular range | ± 2.5° (mechanical) |
| FPA pointing dynamics | typically 1000 Hz |
| FPA useful beam diameter | ~25 mm |
| FPA pointing error | < 10 µrad |
| FPA induced wavefront error | typically < 15 nm rms |
| FPA wavelength options | Visual spectral range; optimized variants at 1064 nm and/or 1550 nm |
