All-Weather Free Space Optical (FSO) Prototype Moves to Outdoor Range Testing

Alexandria, Virginia (February 2025) –– As part of the Company’s effort to develop an advanced Optical Communications Terminal (OCT) technology prototype that would greatly improve laser communication performance through clouds and precipitation, Edmond Scientific completed successful laboratory testing demonstrating the effectiveness of the system for transmitting information through a strong scattering medium such as clouds. Testing achieved zero Bit Error Rate (BER) at different data rates.

Components and equipment are now being packaged for a first-ever outdoor testing of the technology on a live-fire range using a 1-terawatt laser at varying distances for effects of turbulence, absorption, dispersion, and rain. Outdoor testing will verify performance under realistic conditions that would attenuate most laser communications operating in adverse weather and atmospheric conditions. The technology would bring revolutionary performance improvement to any line-of-sight communications link including all Satellite-to-Ground (S2G), Air-to-Space (A2S), Air-to-Ground (A2G), and other similar communications links that penetrate the lower atmosphere.

The effort highlights Edmond Scientific’s specialized ability to provide Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) services that support technology maturation of basic and applied research into effective technical and operational solutions that meet the demanding needs of our customers. For this effort, Edmond Scientific is proud to work with the U.S. Air Force and other Department of Defense stakeholders to advance the development of dual-use systems that contribute to our national defense and enhance U.S. technological and economic superiority in highly competitive industries such as the international satellite communications industry.