Design and Construction of a Dynamic Long Range Laser Telemetry System

Edwards Air Force Base Engineering, 2006-07

Liaison(s): Ron Streich, Glen Wolf
Advisor(s): Erik Spjut
Students(s): Clarence Rowland (TL), Chris Acon, Nisha George (S), Scott Kimbrell (F), Dan Pivonka, William Buck Schulze

Laser Telemetry (optical encoding and transmission of data) promises to increase transmission bandwidth and reduce stray emissions when testing aircraft. The team designed, built, and tested a laser-based system to transmit from a moving aircraft to a stationary ground receiver with dynamic position tracking on both ends. The design parameters were: transmission distances up to 60 miles, aircraft speed of up to 260 mph, and a data rate of 10 Mbps. Details of the optical, mechanical, and control system design along with the test results will be presented.