US 12,237,914 B1
Broadband wavelength division multiplexing for free space optical communications
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. 18/406,819.
Application 18/406,819 is a continuation in part of application No. 18/514,748, filed on Nov. 20, 2023, granted, now 12,009,867.
Int. Cl. H04J 14/02 (2006.01); H04B 10/2507 (2013.01)
CPC H04J 14/0205 (2013.01) [H04B 10/2507 (2013.01); H04J 14/021 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An optical communication system for optically transmitting data through a variably refractive medium, the optical communication system comprising:
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 splitter configured to receive the beam of light and generate at least two wavelength channels;
at least two modulators configured to receive the at least two wavelength channels and encode data on the at least two wavelength channels to form at least two modulated channels;
a combiner configured to combine the at least two modulated channels to form a combined beam of light; and
an amplifier configured to receive the combined beam of light from the combiner and both amplify and filter the combined beam of light to produce an amplified beam of light;
a telescope, wherein the telescope is configured to:
transmit the amplified beam of light through a variably refractive medium, and receive an inbound beam of light; and
a detector system, wherein the detector system includes:
a plurality of 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 plurality of detectors.