Converting optical free space communications to/from RF signals and providing hybrid optical freespace and RF/Terahertz communications

摘要

The present invention provides means for converting between freespace optical communication signals and RF signals. A non-linear mixing medium is used to convert optical signals received on an optical telescope to radio frequency (RF) signals for forwarding to a user. This obviates an electrical-optical conversion step. Similarly, RF signals from a user are converted to optical or Terahertz signals for transmission on an optical or Terahertz freespace link. Paragraph 21 of the application might hint at providing RF communications in parallel with optical freespace communications in addition to providing RF communications in series with optical communications, as referred to above. The applicants describe their apparatus as "a combination optical telescope and RF receiver/transmitter for receiving and transmitting signals at multiple wavelengths".