US 12,206,451 B1
Free space optical communications using a remote optical head
Thomas M. Chaffee, Lexington, VA (US); Wayne H. Knox, Rochester, NY (US); Brian M. Gregory, Lexington, VA (US); and Taz M. Colangelo, Lexington, VA (US)
Assigned to Attochron, LLC, Lexington, VA (US)
Filed by Attochron, LLC, Lexington, VA (US)
Filed on Jan. 8, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/406,802.
Application 18/406,802 is a continuation in part of application No. 18/514,748, filed on Nov. 20, 2023, granted, now 12,009,867.
Int. Cl. H04B 10/112 (2013.01); H04B 10/2581 (2013.01); H04Q 11/00 (2006.01)
CPC H04B 10/1121 (2013.01) [H04B 10/2581 (2013.01); H04Q 11/0005 (2013.01); H04Q 11/0067 (2013.01); H04Q 2011/0015 (2013.01); H04Q 2011/0073 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An optical communication system for optically transmitting data through a variably refractive medium, the optical communication system comprising:
a data interface that includes at least an optical signal generator, wherein the optical signal generator includes:
an optical source configured to generate a beam of light, the optical source comprising a waveguide that amplifies emitted light;
a modulator configured to encode data on the beam of light to form an encoded beam of light; and
an amplifier configured to receive the encoded beam of light from the modulator and both amplify and filter the encoded beam of light to produce an amplified beam of light;
a remote optical head, wherein the remote optical head is configured to:
transmit the amplified beam of light through a variably refractive medium, and
receive an inbound beam of light;
a detector system, wherein the detector system includes:
one or more detectors; and
a routing system that includes optical components and/or fiber components, wherein the routing system transmits the inbound beam of light to a first set of detectors of the one or more detectors; and
a connection between the remote optical head and the data interface, wherein the connection includes a first fiber connecting the remote optical head and the optical signal generator,
wherein the detector system is a part of the data interface, and the connection includes a second fiber between the detector system in the data interface and the remote optical head.