US 12,355,551 B2
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 Nov. 13, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/946,610.
Application 18/946,610 is a continuation of application No. 18/406,819, filed on Jan. 8, 2024, granted, now 12,237,914.
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, issued on Jun. 11, 2024.
Prior Publication US 2025/0167909 A1, May 22, 2025
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
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, a splitter, at least two modulators, a combiner, and an amplifier,
wherein the optical source is configured to generate a beam of light,
the splitter, the at least two modulators, and the combiner are configured to split, modulate, and combine the beam of light to form a combined beam of light, and
the amplifier is configured to receive the combined beam of light 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.