DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF AN OPTICAL TELEMETRY SYSTEM

Abstract

The Edwards Air Force Base Clinic team at Harvey Mudd College designed, built, and tested a prototype for a laser-based telemetry system. The test data were encoded on a 500 mW 1550 nm laser aimed at a ground station by a computer-controlled gimbal. The system communicated from a terrestrial vehicle to a ground station over a distance of 900 m. The extrapolated results indicate a maximum range of greater than 3000 m. This project emphasized COTS parts to minimize cost. Suggestions for the next-generation design, with an air-to-ground link, higher throughput, and greater range, are presented.