Evaluation of far-field pattern of laser transmitter onboard the Laser Communication Equipment

A far-field pattern of an onboard laser transmitter was measured using a trans-atmospheric optical link over 35,000 km range between a satellite and an optical ground station. The acquisition of the far-field pattern is made in use of a new proposed statistical analysis of downlink irradiance data obtained at the ground station. Tracking/pointing statistical characteristics of the transmitter is taken into account in order to estimate downlink irradiance when there would be no atmospheric scintillation effects. The peak directive gain of the downlink laser beam was 104.3 dB. The beam width was 28.5 X 17.5 (mu) rad. These results were consistent with the results at a laboratory test performed before launch of the satellite.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.