Coherent combining of low-power optical signals based on optically amplified error feedback

In free-space optical communication links, the combining of optical signals from multiple apertures is a well-known method to collect more power for improved sensitivity or mitigation of atmospheric disturbances. However, for analog optical combining no detailed analysis has been made in cases when the optical signal power is very low (<-60 dBm) as would be the case in very long-haul free-space links. We present a theoretical and experimental study of analog coherent combining of noise-limited signals from multiple independent apertures by applying low frequency optical phase dithering to actively compensate the relative phases. It is experimentally demonstrated that a 97% combining efficiency of four 10 GBaud QPSK signals is possible with a signal power per aperture exceeding -80 dBm, in fair agreement with theory. We also discuss the scaling aspects to many apertures.