Vol. 19, issue 07, article # 15

Abstract:

This paper presents details of a special algorithm that provides real-time estimates of ground-to-space laser beam system pointing errors. The intent is to provide feedback for adaptive beam control so that such a system can reduce boresight, a static bias in pointing caused by misalignment or systemic static pointing errors. The algorithm requires only the received full aperture time-series signal and does not require imaging nor costly adaptive optics. Effects such as glints, speckle, and atmospheric scintillation do not corrupt the predictions from the algorithm.