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[[File:SSI-1E4_Small (175x175).png|frame|left|The OpComms Team's longest successful test transmitted a binary signal over a [[SSI-1E4|10km link]]]]

[[File:SSI-1E4_Small (175x175).png|frame|left|The OpComms Team's longest successful test transmitted a binary signal over a [[SSI-1E4|10km link]]]]

Optical Communications is a student-led project aiming to develop the capability to establish high-bandwidth data links over free space.  The group began work at the beginning of the 2014-2015 academic year, under the leadership of Thomas Teisberg and Logan Herrera. It was initially formed to investigate the possibility of space-based optical communications, with the intent to participate in the NASA [[CubeQuest Challenge]], a competition for small satellite design. The OpComms/Satellites Team Faculty Advisor is [[Dr. Simone D'Amico]].

Optical Communications is a student-led project that aims to develop the capability to establish high-bandwidth data links over free space.  The group began work at the beginning of the 2014-2015 academic year, under the leadership of Thomas Teisberg and Logan Herrera. It was initially formed to investigate the possibility of space-based optical communications, with the intent to participate in the NASA [[CubeQuest Challenge]], a competition for small satellite design, but has since moved away from the competition design constraints. The OpComms/Satellites Team Faculty Advisor is [[Dr. Simone D'Amico]].

Since its inception, the Optical Communications group has evolved to focus on the establishment of long-distance optical links, with the eventual goal of integrating this technology into a CubeSat form-factor satellite for the purposes of space-based communication. In its first year of existence, the group developed a system involving mechanized altitude/azimuth mounts, an original receiver device consisting of a Fresnel lens and photodetector, and a MATLAB pointing algorithm based on reference point alignment. The group’s final test of the 2014-15 year resulted in the successful establishment of an optical link over [[SSI-1E4|10 kilometers]].

Since its inception, the Optical Communications group has evolved to focus on the establishment of long-distance optical links, with the eventual goal of integrating this technology into a CubeSat form-factor satellite for the purposes of space-based communication. In its first year of existence, the group developed a system involving mechanized altitude/azimuth mounts, an original receiver device consisting of a Fresnel lens and photodetector, and a MATLAB pointing algorithm based on reference point alignment. The group’s final test of the 2014-15 year resulted in the successful establishment of an optical link over [[SSI-1E4|10 kilometers]].