Evaluation of a Semiconductor Optical Amplifier for Free Space Optical Communication Applications

Authors

Charlotte K. Duda, Space Dynamics Laboratory
Chadwick Lindstrom, Space Vehicles Directorate
Francisco Fonta, Space Dynamics Laboratory
Ben Stuhl, Space Dynamics Laboratory
Aaron Cross, Leidos Holdings Inc.
Julie Smith, Space Vehicles Directorate

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2025

Journal Article Version

Accepted Manuscript

First Page

1

Last Page

5

Abstract

High-power semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) are a promising alternative to erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs), which are traditionally used for free-space optical communication (FSO). Here, we characterize the performance of a watt-class 1550 nm Aura^TM SOA for FSO applications. We demonstrate an open eye diagram for 26.8 dBm SOA output power using the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) tranche 1 protocol. We then show that despite some waveform distortions, frame error rates of 3.9 x 10^-4 are achieved for -28 dBm of received optical power with no forward error correction (FEC). Parameters of importance to optical communications such as signal gain, output power and beam quality are presented. We then identify optimal operating parameters for the SOA and discuss its suitability for laser communication applications.

Recommended Citation

Duda, Charlotte K.; Lindstrom, Chadwick; Fonta, Francisco; Stuhl, Ben; Cross, Aaron; and Smith, Julie, "Evaluation of a Semiconductor Optical Amplifier for Free Space Optical Communication Applications" (2025). Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications. Paper 319.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/sdl_pubs/319