Introducing TALOC (Through-the-Air Link Optical Component): a Free-Space Optical (FSO) communication system

4S - Silversword Software and Services, LLC (4S) is developing a novel, robust, Free Space Optical (FSO) communications technology entitled Through the Air Link Optical Component (TALOC), applicable for use on military aircraft, both manned and unmanned. The basic concept involves three components, a tracking and acquisition system, a dedicated communications system, and a retroreflector. Operations involve scanning the horizon with a fan of light, searching for a retro-reflection from another TALOC unit. Once a reflection of the scanning array is located, tracking begins by continued scanning around the spatial location of the acquired reflection. As soon as tracking is established, communications begins, utilizing a separate, dedicated, light source. Tracking continues throughout the communications period to ensure a solid connection and reduce dropouts. TALOC uses solid state scanning to facilitate tracking and acquisition. Figure 1 at right shows the next generation, multi-wavelength, TALOC concept.