Canonical Deep Space Optical Communications Transceiver

A canonical deep space optical communications transceiver which makes synergistic use of advanced technologies to reduce size, weight, power and cost has been designed and is currently under fabrication and test. This optical transceiver can be used to retire risks associated with deep space optical communications on a planetary pathfinder mission and is complementary to ongoing lunar & access link developments. Advanced technologies being integrated into this transceiver include use of a single photon-sensitive detector array for acquisition, tracking and communications; use of two- photon absorption for transmit beam tracking to vastly improve transmit/receive isolation; and a sub-Hertz break frequency vibration isolation platform is used to mitigate spacecraft vibration jitter. This article will present the design and current test results of the canonical transceiver.