Optically powered cryogenic focal plane array (fpa) with an optical data link

A cryogenic focal plane array (FPA), comprising:

• a vacuum sealed cryogenic chamber having a main optical window;
• an optical splitter inside the chamber configured to receive and separate an optical input signal provided to the chamber on an optical fiber at an input fiber connector to form an optical carrier signal and an optical power signal;
• a optical-to-electrical (0/E) converter inside the chamber that converts the optical power signal into an electrical power signal;
• a regulator inside the chamber converts the electrical power signal into a plurality of DC voltage signals to supply power within the chamber;
• an optical detector array (ODA) inside the chamber configured to receive light through the main optical window and convert the light into a plurality of detected electrical charges;
• a read out integrated circuit (ROIC) inside the chamber configured to measure the plurality of detected electrical charges over a specified interval and output electrical signals proportional to the charge;
• an optical data link inside the chamber configured to receive and modulate the optical carrier signal with the electrical signals to form and output an optical data out signal at an output fiber connector that is routed away from the chamber on an optical fiber;
• and
• a cryogenic cooler that maintains a desired set point temperature inside the chamber,
• wherein the optical input signal, optical carrier signal, optical power signal and the optical data out signal are routed within the chamber with an all-fiber network.

A cryogenic focal plane array (FPA), comprising:

• a vacuum sealed cryogenic chamber having a main optical window;
• an optical splitter inside the chamber configured to receive and separate an optical input signal at an optical input port to form an optical carrier signal and an optical power signal;
• a optical-to-electrical (0/E) converter inside the chamber that converts the optical power signal into an electrical power signal;
• a regulator inside the chamber converts the electrical power signal into a plurality of DC voltage signals to supply power within the chamber;
• an optical detector array (ODA) inside the chamber configured to receive light through the main optical window and convert the light into a plurality of detected electrical charges;
• a read out integrated circuit (ROIC) inside the chamber configured to measure the plurality of detected electrical charges over a specified interval and output electrical signals proportional to the charge;
• a bi-directional optical data link inside the chamber configured to (a) receive an optical data in signal, convert it to electrical data signals and distribute the electrical data signals to the ODA or ROIC and (b) to receive and modulate the optical carrier signal with the electrical signals to form and output an optical data out signal at an optical output port;
• and
• a cryogenic cooler that maintains a desired set point temperature inside the chamber.