OPTICAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEM USING A HIGH ALTITUDE TETHERED BALLOON

摘要

An optical communication system using a high altitude tethered balloon (10) that operates above most clouds and atmospheric turbulence. An optical communication system includes a balloon (10) with an optical communication payload (30), a fiber optic cable attached to the tether (12), an automated winch system (14), and a ground station (28). The balloon (10) is designed for sustained flight at, and recovery from, high altitude using the automated winch system (14). An acquisition, tracking and pointing (ATP) system (22) enables a balloon-based optical transceiver (24) to maintain line-of-sight optical communications with an overhead satellite (34). The optical link between the satellite (34) and the balloon (10) is an open channel. Data is transmitted to the ground station (28) from the balloon (10) through the secure fiber optic closed channel attached to the tether (12).