Adaptive Long-wave Free Space Optical Network Solutions

Consortium Members

Institute of Physics, University of Strathclyde

The IoP was established in 1995 as a research unit of the University of Strathclyde with the remit to form a bridge between academic research and industrial development in the areas of all-solid-state laser sources, optics and applications, through collaboration, joint research programmes and consultancy.

Institute of Photonics
University of Strathclyde
Wolfsen Centre
106 Rottenrow
GLASGOW
G4 0NW
Contact   Tim Holt - Business Development Manager
Tel: +44 (0141) 553 4120
Email      tim.holt@strath.ac.uk
Website http://www.photonics.ac.uk

University of Durham

The Astronomical Instrumentation Group at Durham designs, constructs, and commissions advanced optical and infrared instruments for the UK's telescopes around the World. Specific areas of expertise include spectroscopy and adaptive optics (relevant to ALFONSO). Within ALFONSO Durham is responsible for producing a system to characterise horizontal turbulence based on a system called SLODAR, and for demonstrating a closed loop AO system based on components produced by Starpoint AO.

Astronomical Instrumentation Group
University of Durham
Rochester Building
Science Laboratories
South Road
DURHAM
DH1 3LE
Contact    Gordon Love
Tel           +44 (0191) 334 3696
Email      g.d.love@durham.ac.uk
Website   http://aig-www.dur.ac.uk/

SIRA

Sira Electro-Optics, based in Kent, is an optical instrument engineering company and part of the well-known Sira Group of companies. They have a heritage in advanced optical system design in the industrial, defence and space markets, and their client list includes BAE Systems, DERA & IBM. A particular strength of Sira is engineering rugged and reliable optical systems for hostile environments such as space, military theatres, and the factory floor. Their engineering experience and heritage in developing high integrity instruments that work in hostile environments provides invaluable input into each stage of this project. Sira was involved in a project developing communications technology for research spacecraft more than 30,000 km apart, using modulated laser beams to send data at 50 Mb/s. Communicating with highly directional laser beams over such enormous distances required the transmit and receive terminals to be pointed at each other with high accuracy. The equipment Sira provided enabled the possibility of sub-microradian tracking accuracy in initial operations. Sira’s Acquisition and Tracking Sensors are critical elements in the pointing and tracking system, and were designed, built, tested and space-qualified by Sira Electro-Optics under contract to Astrium SAS in Toulouse. Launched in 2001, this is currently the only working satellite to satellite optical communications link.

Sira
South Hill
CHISLEHURST
Kent
BR7 5EH
Contact    Jon Holmes - Industrial Business Director
Tel: +44 (020) 8468 1770
Email: jon.holmes@siraeo.co.uk
Web: http://www.siraeo.co.uk

CableFree Solutions Limited

Founded in 1997, CableFree is based in London, UK and designs, manufactures and sells a range of Free Space Optic (FSO) transmission products. In 1997, CableFree's debut was a 622Mbps product; by 1999, the company launched the world's first commercial 1.5Gbps wireless system. By the end of 2002, CableFree's global coverage extended to over 1800 links in 45 countries across five continents. Their customer base includes enterprise users, multinational corporates, government bodies, national service providers, internet service providers, cellular operators, finance houses, schools, universities, F1 racing teams, telecom service providers, defence forces and national television broadcast corporations. CableFree is ISO9001 certified and manages a worldwide distribution and infrastructure of significant scale.

Cablefree Solutions Ltd
Unit 1
St. Clare Business Park
Holly Road
HAMPTON HILL
Middlesex
TW12 1PZ
Contact    Stephen Patrick - CTO
Tel: +44 (020) 8941 7975
Email: stephen.patrick@cablefree.co.uk
Web: http://www.cablefreesolutions.com
 

ALFONSO is funded by a DTI Link Award scheme

Former Consortium Member

Ferranti Photonics Limited

Ferranti Photonics, based in Dundee, has played a leading role in the evolution of industrial and military lasers from early developmental device to mature product. Supplying lasers and laser systems for applications in industry, research and development and defence, Ferranti Photonics has acquired a reputation for innovation, quality and first class service. In addition to the multi-kilowatt LE series and award winning MF series of high power CO2 lasers for material processing, Ferranti Photonics have also been at the forefront of CO2 waveguide laser development supplying the laser sources for both the CLARA airborne laser radar programme and the Trigat-MR anti-tank guide weapon system. They are also now involved in developing miniature solid state laser devices.

All site contents (C)2003 Stephen Patrick