The use of free space optical (FSO) technology greatly expands the available data rate in wireless communications. The use of free space optical (FSO) technology greatly expands the available data rate in wireless communications. Uncontested LPI/LPD FSO communication provides our soldiers with secure communication without the concern of eavesdropping. For alternate communication channels between soldiers, drones or Tactical Operating Centers, FSO communication provides tactical advantage.

SmallSats and CubeSats dramatically reduce deployment costs, enabling large constellations with the potential to collect much more data. Laser communications have been proposed to support to the demand for increased network capacity in space, however, conventional FSO terminals consume too much space and power to be compatible with the desired SmallSat platforms.

By leveraging recent advances in beam steering photonic technologies, CFD is developing solutions for high-speed/long-distance laser communications between SmallSats and CubeSats, including crosslinks and downlinks. These advances enable dramatic SWaP reductions in the FSO system design, making it possible to integrate high-speed laser communications to support to growing demand for data in space.