Beam Orientation In Unidirectional Optical Communication Systems

A communication platform, comprising:

• an emitter for generating an optical communication signal;
• an intensity detector for detecting the intensity of a guidance beam;
• a beam deflection unit for steering the optical communication signal in the direction of a remote station;
• an actuator for rotating the beam deflection unit about a pivot point;
• and
• a control unit for actuating the actuator;
• wherein the control unit is configured:
• to actuate the actuator such that the optical communication signal is deflected by the beam deflection unit in a first direction along a first line of movement for a prescribed first period and is subsequently deflected in a second direction along the first line of movement, opposite to the first direction of the first line of movement, for a prescribed second period;
• to actuate the actuator such that subsequently the optical communication signal is deflected by the beam deflection unit in a first direction along a second line of movement for a prescribed third period and is subsequently deflected in a second direction along the second line of movement, opposite to the first direction of the second line of movement, for a prescribed fourth period;
• and
• to obtain an intensity of the guidance beam as detected by the intensity detector and to take the detected intensity as a basis for determining a deflection direction of the beam deflection unit along the first line of movement or the second line of movement and to put the beam deflection unit into a deflection position.