Optical Modems

Optical Modems: a World First

Optical links between Earth and space have the potential to overcome bandwidth limits and spectrum regulatory challenges inherent to legacy RF communication. Free space optical communication is on the verge of a commercial breakthrough for LEO satellites, feeder links to GEO satellites have been proven to work with lasers, and a new wave of lunar exploration sees its communication challenges solved with optical signals.

In 2021, we set another groundbreaking milestone: Our AR-80-OPT Optical Multi-Mission Receiver was deployed at KSAT’s optical ground station in Nemea, Greece. This Optical Modem is one of the world’s first multi-mission support solutions, capable of receiving, transmitting, and processing optical communication signals. For us, this was only the first step in the field of optical ground station technology, we keep developing optical modems and receivers for future missions. That’s because we expect that optical communication technology will play a critical role in LEO and MEO and also in deep space missions. Mission operators and service providers can consider our effective solutions for setting up projects with optical communication to and from Earth.

Within WORK Microwave’s Digital Optical Ground Station (DOG) suite, the newly developed next-generation Multi-Mission Optical Modem is available. DOG is a revolutionary end-to-end solution to establish multi Gbaud & Gbit optical links for both space-to-earth and earth-to-space directions. It is a worldwide unique, field-proven commercial solution for the ground segment.

WORK Microwave offers all components independently, or you can choose to take advantage of our System Integration Services.