Large area adaptive avalanche photodetector arrays for free-space optical communication

Mike S. Ferraro; Wade T. Freeman; Rita Mahon; James L. Murphy; Peter G. Goetz; Michael Colbert; William S. Rabinovich; Harris R. Burris; Christopher I. Moore; William R. Clark; William D. Waters

doi:10.1117/12.798915

19 August 2008 Large area adaptive avalanche photodetector arrays for free-space optical communication

Mike S. Ferraro, Wade T. Freeman, Rita Mahon, James L. Murphy, Peter G. Goetz, Michael Colbert, William S. Rabinovich, Harris R. Burris, Christopher I. Moore, William R. Clark, William D. Waters

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 7091, Free-Space Laser Communications VIII; 70910J (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.798915
Event: Optical Engineering + Applications, 2008, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

In free space optical communication systems, atmospheric turbulence makes it very difficult to focus transmitted laser power onto small, low capacitance photodetectors. The obvious challenge, therefore, is to take advantage of larger area photodiodes without sacrificing a great deal of bandwidth and sensitivity in the process. In this work, we report on a high sensitivity, high speed adaptive avalanche photodetector array for free-space optical communication. The receiver consists of a 2×2 InGaAs APD array with each 100um element in the array having its own dedicated trans-impedance amplifier and buffering stage. The corresponding voltage outputs for each element are processed through a four channel digital, fast switching and summation circuit. The resulting signal is selectable to be either that of the element in the array with the greatest signal response or the sum of multiple or all channels. Design requirements, laboratory sensitivity measurements, and field testing results are presented.

Citation Download Citation

Mike S. Ferraro, Wade T. Freeman, Rita Mahon, James L. Murphy, Peter G. Goetz, Michael Colbert, William S. Rabinovich, Harris R. Burris, Christopher I. Moore, William R. Clark, and William D. Waters "Large area adaptive avalanche photodetector arrays for free-space optical communication", Proc. SPIE 7091, Free-Space Laser Communications VIII, 70910J (19 August 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.798915

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available