Large field of view beaconless laser nutation tracking sensor based on a micro-electro-mechanical system mirror

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Communication Systems

Background:

• Beaconless laser communication requires precise tracking systems.
• Existing tracking methods can be complex and bulky.
• Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) offer miniaturization potential for optical components.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and validate a novel laser nutation tracking sensor for beaconless laser communication.
• To develop a new formula for optical power detection during nutation.
• To demonstrate accurate boresight error calculation using the proposed sensor and algorithm.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) mirror for high-efficiency, large-amplitude nutation at resonant frequency.
• Deriving a novel formula for incompletely detectable optical power within the nutation cycle.
• Conducting experimental measurements of boresight error calculation under varying nutation radii.

Main Results:

• Accurate boresight calculation achieved within ±200 microradians (µrad) at a nutation radius of 4.9 µm.
• Demonstrated the sensor's performance in calculating boresight error under different nutation conditions.
• Validated the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm for new scenarios.

Conclusions:

• The proposed laser nutation tracking sensor simplifies tracking systems for beaconless laser communication.
• Increasing the nutation radius has the potential to further expand the sensor's receiving field of view (FOV).
• The MEMS-based sensor offers a promising solution for efficient and accurate optical tracking.