Infinera Corporation
Transmitting and Receiving Data Using a Satellite Communications Network

Abstract:

An example apparatus includes an optical transmitter, an optical splitter, lenses, and mirrors. The optical splitter has an input and several outputs. The input of the optical splitter is optically coupled to the transmitter, such that each of the outputs of the optical splitter is operable to supply a corresponding one of a plurality of modulated optical signals, each of which includes a plurality of optical subcarriers. Each of the lenses is optically coupled to a respective one of the outputs of the optical splitter. Each of the lenses is operable to receive a corresponding one of the modulated optical signals. Each of the mirrors is optically coupled to a corresponding one of the lenses, such that each of the mirrors is operable to direct a respective one of the modulated optical signals for transmission through free space.