Free-space laser communications error control system

A method for minimizing the effects of atmospheric degradation of signal propagation in a free-space atmospheric laser communication system comprising a first and a second laser transceiver for reducing transmission error, comprising the steps of:

• (a) transmitting a signal strength data stream between each transceiver, the signal strength data from each transceiver indicating a signal strength measured for the other transceiver;
• (b) receiving the signal strength data stream in one of the first or second transceivers;
• (c) suspending transmission of information packets from the receiving transceiver to the other transceiver if:
• (1) the signal strength data stream is not received by the receiving transceiver;
• or
• (2) the received signal strength data stream indicates that the signal strength of the receiving transceiver does not exceed a selected threshold value.

A method for minimizing the effects of atmospheric degradation of signal propagation in a free-space atmospheric laser communication system comprising a first and a second laser transceiver for reducing transmission errors during periods of dropouts or low signal level due to scintillation or other causes, comprising the steps of:

• (a) transmitting a signal strength data stream between each transceiver, the signal strength data from each transceiver indicating a signal strength measured for the other transceiver;
• (b) receiving the signal strength data stream in one of the first or second transceivers;
• (c) suspending transmission of information packets from the receiving transceiver to the other transceiver in order to prevent or minimize data dropouts and to attain very low bit error rates if:
• (1) the signal strength data stream is not received by the receiving transceiver;
• or
• (2) the received signal strength data stream indicates that a predicted signal strength of the receiving transceiver does not exceed a selected threshold value.

A system for controlling a free-space atmospheric laser communication transceiver, comprising:

• (a) a receiver for receiving an incoming laser signal;
• (b) a transmitter for transmitting an outgoing laser signal, the outgoing laser signal including an indication of a signal strength for the incoming laser signal;
• (c) a signal strength determination circuit, coupled to the receiver, for monitoring the incoming laser signal for a signal strength data stream indicating a signal strength for the transmitter as received by a remote transceiver, and for determining if the signal strength data stream indicates that the signal strength of the transmitter does not exceed a selected threshold value;
• (d) a data transmission control circuit, coupled to the signal strength determination circuit, for suspending transmission of information packets in the outgoing laser signal if such determination indicates that the signal strength of the transmitter does not exceed the selected threshold value.

A system for controlling a free-space atmospheric laser communication transceiver, comprising:

• (a) a receiver for receiving an incoming laser signal;
• (b) a transmitter for transmitting an outgoing laser signal, the outgoing laser signal including an indication of a signal strength for the incoming laser signal;
• (c) a signal strength determination circuit, coupled to the receiver, for monitoring the incoming laser signal for a signal strength data stream indicating a signal strength for the transmitter as received by a remote transceiver, and for determining if the signal strength data stream indicates that a predicted signal strength of the transmitter does not exceed a selected threshold value;
• (d) a data transmission control circuit, coupled to the signal strength determination circuit, for suspending transmission of information packets in the outgoing laser signal if such determination indicates that the signal strength of the transmitter does not exceed the selected threshold value.