Fast Steering Mirrors for Optical Communications in Outer Space/Free Space

Taking clear pictures despite poor lighting conditions, taking snapshots without blurring, recognizing traffic signs and road markings, or identifying dangerous situations with a specific system - all of this is now possible with modern cameras. But what is the quality of still and video images from a camera or smartphone? And how does it compare to models from other suppliers?

Finally, users, smartphone and camera manufacturers, companies in the automotive or aerospace, medical and safety or automation technology sectors - they all place high demands on the quality of still and video images and are actively seeking answers to these questions.

Why choose fast steering mirrors?

Due to the low divergence of laser beams, accurate alignment solutions must be sought to keep the beams accurately on target over the vast distances covered in satellite-to-satellite links, ground-to-satellite or outer space communications. High-speed fine steering systems are needed to cope with vibrations from the satellite (e.g., stabilization systems), in addition to coarse steering systems that can be achieved through satellite attitude systems. In Earth-to-satellite communications, atmospheric turbulence is another factor that can cause the beam to deviate from its original path. At the receiving end, the laser beam is coupled into a single-mode fiber, which requires a very high degree of precision to avoid optical power loss. Piezoelectric or electromagnetic fast steering mirrors (FSMs) can provide angular resolution in the low nano-radian range and mechanical bandwidth up to the kHz range. The mirrors are compact, fast and accurate, making them adequate for the common disturbances found in these applications. While piezo-ceramic-driven FSMs offer higher resolution and bandwidth, electromagnetic units (typically voice-coil-driven FSMs) allow for larger steering angles. BENA's fast steering mirror technology has been used in ground- and space-based testing and implementation since the 1990s.BENA's solutions offer efficient and fast designs based on piezoelectric or electromagnetic actuation, and include a variety of publicly available off-the-shelf and classified customized products, with more to come. If you need to utilize the knowledge of our engineering team in fast steering mirrors, please feel free to contact us.