An optical communication system comprises an optical communication device and an optical power supply configured to generate a sequence of optical frame templates directed to the optical communication device. The optical communication device may use the received optical frame templates as a light source for generating data-loaded optical frames and/or may extract from the optical frame templates control information encoded therein using one or more headers thereof.

Free-space optical (FSO) wireless transmission, including optical communications, remote-sensing, power beaming, etc., can be enhanced by replacing conventional laser sources that operate in the infrared portion of the optical spectrum with ultra-short pulsed laser (USPL) sources having peak pulse powers of one kWatt or greater and pulse lengths of less than one picosecond. Specifically, it has been observed that under these conditions the attenuation of an USPL beam having the same average optical power as a conventional laser in a lossy medium, such as the atmosphere, is substantially less than the attenuation of a conventional laser beam having a lower peak pulse power and/or a longer pulse width. The superior system performance when using an USPL can be translated into an increased distance between a laser source in a transmitter and a photodetector in receiver and/or a higher reliability of system operation in inclement weather conditions.

Free-space optical (FSO) wireless transmission, including optical communications, remote-sensing, power beaming, etc., can be enhanced by replacing conventional laser sources that operate in the infrared portion of the optical spectrum with ultra-short pulsed laser (USPL) sources having peak pulse powers of one kWatt or greater and pulse lengths of less than one picosecond. Specifically, it has been observed that under these conditions the attenuation of an USPL beam having the same average optical power as a conventional laser in a lossy medium, such as the atmosphere, is substantially less than the attenuation of a conventional laser beam having a lower peak pulse power and/or a longer pulse width. The superior system performance when using an USPL can be translated into an increased distance between a laser source in a transmitter and a photodetector in receiver and/or a higher reliability of system operation in inclement weather conditions.

A communication device includes: a light output unit for outputting light; a light splitting unit for splitting the light output by the light output unit into a plurality of split beams; and a plurality of spatial optical communication units provided in correspondence to the plurality of split beams, wherein the spatial optical communication units respectively transmit a corresponding split beam which is input from the light splitting unit to a partner communication device across space.

A communication device includes: a light output unit for outputting light; a light splitting unit for splitting the light output by the light output unit into a plurality of split beams; and a plurality of spatial optical communication units provided in correspondence to the plurality of split beams, wherein the spatial optical communication units respectively transmit a corresponding split beam which is input from the light splitting unit to a partner communication device across space.

A method for generating millimeter wave noise with a flat RF (radio frequency) spectrum includes the following steps. A noise optical signal with an optical spectrum in Gaussian shape is output by a first optical emission module. The noise optical signal is transmitted to an optical coupler. n beams of noise optical signals with optical spectra in Gaussian shape is output by a second optical emission module. The noise optical signals is transmitted to the optical coupler. The noise light generated by the first optical emission module and the second optical emission module is coupled to the optical coupler. The coupled optical signals is transmitted to a photodetector. The beat frequency is performed by the photodetector to realize mapping transformation from the optical spectra to the RF spectra. The flat millimeter wave noise is output.

A method for generating millimeter wave noise with a flat RF (radio frequency) spectrum includes the following steps. A noise optical signal with an optical spectrum in Gaussian shape is output by a first optical emission module. The noise optical signal is transmitted to an optical coupler. n beams of noise optical signals with optical spectra in Gaussian shape is output by a second optical emission module. The noise optical signals is transmitted to the optical coupler. The noise light generated by the first optical emission module and the second optical emission module is coupled to the optical coupler. The coupled optical signals is transmitted to a photodetector. The beat frequency is performed by the photodetector to realize mapping transformation from the optical spectra to the RF spectra. The flat millimeter wave noise is output.

Systems and methods are described for transmitting information optically. For instance, a system may include an optical source configured to generate a beam of light. The system may include at least one modulator configured to encode data on the beam of light to produce an encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses. The system may include a spectrally-equalizing amplifier configured to receive the encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses from the at least one modulator and both amplify and filter the encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses to produce a filtered beam of light/filtered plurality of pulses, thereby spectrally equalizing a gain applied to the encoded beam of light. In some cases, the system may slice the beam of slight, to ensure a detector has impulsive detection. In some cases, the system may include a temperature controller to shift a distribution curve of wavelengths of the optical source.

Systems and methods are described for transmitting information optically. For instance, a system may include an optical source configured to generate a beam of light. The system may include at least one modulator configured to encode data on the beam of light to produce an encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses. The system may include a spectrally-equalizing amplifier configured to receive the encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses from the at least one modulator and both amplify and filter the encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses to produce a filtered beam of light/filtered plurality of pulses, thereby spectrally equalizing a gain applied to the encoded beam of light. In some cases, the system may slice the beam of slight, to ensure a detector has impulsive detection. In some cases, the system may include a temperature controller to shift a distribution curve of wavelengths of the optical source.

Optical communication modules and associated methods and computer program products for performing network communication security are provided. An example optical module includes a substrate, a first optoelectronic component supported by the substrate configured for operation with optical signals having a first wavelength, and a second optoelectronic component supported by the substrate configured for operation with optical signals having a second wavelength. The module further includes an optical communication medium defining a first end in optical communication with the first optoelectronic component and the second optoelectronic component and a second end. The module also includes security circuitry operably connected with the first optoelectronic component and the second optoelectronic component. The security circuitry determines the presence of a noncompliant component coupled with the optical communication medium at the second end based upon operation of the second optoelectronic component.