Mono-pulse tracking system for active free space optical communication

Pilot survey experimental non-linear input-output mapping data are used for the design of neuro-controller. This controller process the beam location information from a static linear map of a 2D plane: Optoelectronic Position Detector (OPD), as observer, and generate the necessary control outputs to steer the beam using piezo-electronic actuators: Fast Steering Mirror (FSM). The beam centroid position is computed using the mono-pulse algorithm. The performance of the mono-pulse beam tracking system designed to aim the modulated laser beam to be at the center of the detector plane under atmospheric (medium) disturbances is experimentally investigated. The improvements attained in control signal generation, beam centroid stability, received power, outage probability and Bit Error Rate (BER) are comprehensively assessed using the experimental results obtained from the FSO communication test-beds constructed for the horizontal range of 0.5 km at an altitude of 15.25 m.