Optical Communications (FSO) & Directed Energy

Integrated Environmental Intelligence for Laser Communications / FSO & High-Energy Laser Systems

Free Space Optical (FSO) communication offers unmatched bandwidth, security, and spectrum independence—but its performance is fundamentally constrained by atmospheric and sky conditions. The same atmospheric factors that challenge FSO communications directly impact the propagation, pointing, and performance of high-energy laser (HEL) and directed energy systems.

Through a strategic partnership with Miratlas, we deliver the only fully integrated solution on the market that comprehensively addresses atmospheric and environmental conditions impacting ground-to-space and ground-to-ground laser systems—across both communications and high-energy laser applications.

Engaged since 2017 in laser communications research and development supporting NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, focused on atmospheric effects impacting optical system performance.

What Our System Provides

Our platform combines multi-sensor data acquisition, atmospheric characterization, and real-time analytics to support laser systems operating in challenging environments.

• Sky and cloud condition monitoring — Detection and characterization of clouds, aerosols, and obscurants impacting optical paths
• Atmospheric turbulence assessment — Measurement and modeling of turbulence parameters (r₀, isoplanatic angle), transmission loss, and variability affecting beam propagation and wavefront quality
• Real-time operational support — Environmental intelligence to inform link scheduling, pointing decisions, and adaptive system behavior
• Integrated system architecture — Designed to interface directly with laser terminals, networks, ground stations, and beam control systems

Laser Communications & FSO

Our solutions are purpose-built for organizations deploying or operating:

• Ground-to-space optical communication links (LEO, GEO, deep space)
• Ground-to-ground laser communication networks
• Hybrid RF/optical systems requiring intelligent link management
• Mission-critical or high-availability optical communication infrastructure

By transforming environmental uncertainty into actionable insight, we enable FSO systems to operate with greater resilience—even under variable sky and weather conditions.

High-Energy Laser & Directed Energy Systems

Atmospheric conditions are among the most significant performance drivers for high-energy laser and directed energy systems. Turbulence-induced wavefront distortion, thermal blooming, aerosol scattering, and variable transmission all directly affect beam quality and effective range.

Our all-sky infrared imaging and atmospheric characterization platform provides the real-time environmental intelligence HEL programs require:

• Turbulence profiling — Continuous characterization of atmospheric turbulence strength and structure for adaptive optics (AO) sizing, performance prediction, and operational planning
• Transmission and obscurant monitoring — Real-time detection of conditions affecting beam propagation along the optical path
• Site characterization & selection — Long-duration sky and atmospheric data records to support site evaluation, diversity analysis, and system siting decisions
• Operational environment awareness — Continuous sky monitoring to support mission planning, scheduling, and go/no-go decision support

Our instrumentation has been fielded in support of programs at NASA JPL, ESA, the USAF, and NOAA—providing the measurement-grade data products that high-consequence laser programs demand.