Free-space simulator for laser transmission

A ''free-space simulator for laser transmission'' is proposed for evaluating optical beam control subsystems for an optical intersatellite link. This method is based on the compact range approach which gives the far-field pattern (FFP) of the transmitted beam at a focal plane of the lens. The method allows the simulator to be placed in an in-house laboratory; the beam control systems can thus be evaluated easily, stably, and precisely. Experimental results show that the FFP of an optical beam emitted from an antenna is obtainable with accuracy on the order of microrads.