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Adaptive optical beam tracking and alignment system with a wide field-of-view for optical wireless communication
Optics Express
|February 18, 2026
Summary
This study introduces an adaptive fast steering mirror (FSM) system for optical wireless communication (OWC). The novel two-FSM approach significantly enhances the field-of-view (FOV) and stability for high-speed OWC, enabling reliable broadband access.
Area of Science:
- Optical Wireless Communication (OWC)
- Free-space optics
- Optical beam steering
Background:
- OWC offers high-speed, last-mile broadband access.
- Infrared-based communication (IRC) requires precise line-of-sight (LOS) optical beam steering.
- Existing mechanical fast steering mirrors (FSMs) have limitations in speed and footprint.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and demonstrate an adaptive FSM-based optical beam tracking and alignment system for OWC.
- To enhance the field-of-view (FOV) and stability of OWC transmission.
- To enable high-speed data transmission for mobile users in OWC systems.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of a two-FSM system for adaptive optical tracking.
- Utilizing a light spot approaching method for precise beam alignment.
- Employing the first FSM to correct beam displacement and the second FSM to correct incident beam angle relative to the reference optical axis.
Main Results:
- The FOV was significantly enhanced from 0.05° to 51.85°.
- High-speed orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) OWC transmission achieved rates of 89.3 Gbit/s, 87.03 Gbit/s, and 84.47 Gbit/s at 3m, 10m, and 20m, respectively.
- The system met the hard-decision forward-error-correction (HD-FEC) requirement (BER < 3.8 × 10⁻³).
Conclusions:
- The proposed adaptive two-FSM system effectively enhances FOV and stability in OWC.
- This technology supports high-speed, reliable OWC, crucial for future broadband access.
- The system demonstrates practical feasibility for advanced OWC applications.
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