Testing a 1 Gbit/s Optical Wireless Communication System against Extreme Space Conditions

We realized a high-speed Optical Wireless Communication (OWC) system for short distances, and then tested its transmitter and receiver boards against the most challenging issues that the devices can face in the space environment. As the system is made of commercially available optoelectronic components, operating at 850 nm, there was no specific preliminary indication that they can survive in the space environment. Thus, we thoroughly tested our OWC boards against strong acceleration and typical mechanical vibrations (up to 7.5g, 850 Hz), then over a wide temperature range (-40 degrees C<T<80 degrees C) and finally against X-ray irradiation (1 Mrad). In all tests, the OWC system suffered no relevant issue. This is clear evidence that OWC technology, realized by Commerical Off-the-Shelf components, can be suitable for space applications.