Free-Space Communications Program Gets Funding

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has funded a program to develop multigigabit-per-second, secure, free-space communication links and aberration-free, 3-D imaging and targeting at ranges longer than 1000 km. According to the agency, the integration of MEMs spatial light modulators for improved wavefront control, along with photonics and high-speed electronics, will provide affordable systems for a variety of military and commercial applications. Phase I of the four-year Coherent Communications, Imaging and Targeting program will receive $9.5 million over two years and will involve researchers from industry and academic institutions, including Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Stanford University, Boston MicroMachines and Ball Aerospace.