Changes

System III is the current [[OpComms]] optical link setup.  It consists of a laser transmitter and custom Fresnel lens receiver, interfacing with a commercial photodetector.  This system has successfully transmitted data over a distance of 10km, from [[Skyline Boulevard]] to [[W6YX]].

System III is the third design iteration of the [[OpComms]] optical link.  It consists of a laser transmitter and custom Fresnel lens receiver, interfacing with a commercial photodetector.  This system has successfully transmitted data over a distance of 10km, from [[Skyline Boulevard]] to [[W6YX]].

==Fresnel Lens==

==Fresnel Lens==

[[File:System_III_Fresnel_Lens.png|frame|right|A Fresnel lens receiver is a cost effective alternative to a telescope, allowing a much larger aperture at reasonable expense.]]

[[File:System_III_Fresnel_Lens.png|frame|right|A Fresnel lens receiver is a cost effective alternative to a telescope, allowing a much larger aperture at reasonable expense.]]

The current receiver system uses a ~12" x 12" Frensel lens [http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Fresnel_lens], sold as a replacement part for overhead projectors. A Frensel lens employs complex internal geometries to mimic the optical properties of a conventional convex lens, while maintaining a thin plate shape. The effect of this is that a large lens can be made cheaply and does not occupy as much space as a traditional lens of similar aperture (i.e. the size of the inlet, which limits the amount of light a lens will allow to pass through). The Optical Comms team switched to a Fresnel lens receiver after demonstrating that the larger aperture allowed by the lens gave better light output to the photodetector over the conventional telescopes that had previously been used. Telescopes were cost limited to about a 6 inch aperture for the group, while very large Fresnel lenses could be easily acquired with some creative Craiglist searching (the largest of these came in the form of an old rear-projection television monitor).

The System III receiver uses a ~12" x 12" Frensel lens [http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Fresnel_lens], sold as a replacement part for overhead projectors. A Frensel lens employs complex internal geometries to mimic the optical properties of a conventional convex lens, while maintaining a thin plate shape. The effect of this is that a large lens can be made cheaply and does not occupy as much space as a traditional lens of similar aperture (i.e. the size of the inlet, which limits the amount of light a lens will allow to pass through). The Optical Comms team switched to a Fresnel lens receiver after demonstrating that the larger aperture allowed by the lens gave better light output to the photodetector over the conventional telescopes that had previously been used. Telescopes were cost limited to about a 6 inch aperture for the group, while very large Fresnel lenses could be easily acquired with some creative Craiglist searching (the largest of these came in the form of an old rear-projection television monitor).

The Fresnel receiver system underwent one major design revision, moving from the original foamcore construction, which proved structurally inadequate, to a more robust high-density fiberboard design. The latest version includes fine focus capabilities, simplified mechanics, and a better solution for attachment to the motorized altitude/azimuth mounts, which are necessary for long-distance tests.

The Fresnel receiver system underwent one major design revision, moving from the original foamcore construction, which proved structurally inadequate, to a more robust high-density fiberboard design. The latest version includes fine focus capabilities, simplified mechanics, and a better solution for attachment to the motorized altitude/azimuth mounts, which are necessary for long-distance tests.

==Alignment telescope laser system==

==Alignment telescope laser system==

In the current system, the transmitting laser is mounted to a small Celestron Nexstar telescope, which allows for fine adjustment of the laser system to collineate it with the telescope barrel. The telescope is mounted to a motorized altitude/azimuth mount, in order to make fine alignment adjustments. The optical properties of the telescope proved exceedingly useful when aligning at long distances, because the laser heading could be visually confirmed by looking through the eyepiece of the telescope. In some cases, this became vital because the target points were locations where laser transmission was unacceptable, such as airports.

In System III, the transmitting laser is mounted to a small Celestron Nexstar telescope, which allows for fine adjustment of the laser system to collineate it with the telescope barrel. The telescope is mounted to a motorized altitude/azimuth mount, in order to make fine alignment adjustments. The optical properties of the telescope proved exceedingly useful when aligning at long distances, because the laser heading could be visually confirmed by looking through the eyepiece of the telescope. In some cases, this became vital because the target points were locations where laser transmission was unacceptable, such as airports.

A secondary 5mW green (532 nm) laser was also purchased, with the intent to more properly match the optical characteristics of the receiving photodetector. This green laser was used in the final, successful 10km test, due to its perceived* ability to cut through the dense fog that lay in the valley between the transmit and receive locations.

A secondary 5mW green (532 nm) laser was also purchased, with the intent to more properly match the optical characteristics of the receiving photodetector. This green laser was used in the final, successful 10km test, due to its perceived* ability to cut through the dense fog that lay in the valley between the transmit and receive locations.