As part of NATO’s Research Task Group 199, TITAN and Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) organised an Optical-Wireless Symposium to discuss the latest advancements in Free Space Optical (FSO) communications…
As part of NATO’s Research Task Group 199, TITAN and Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) organised an Optical-Wireless Symposium to discuss the latest advancements in Free Space Optical (FSO) communications on 3 December 2024.
Military officials, academic experts, and industry leaders from around the world gathered for the day-long online event to discuss current use cases, existing industry technologies, and the potential for interoperability across defence systems. The event bridged the gap between cutting-edge research and practical military applications, ensuring that these technologies reach the hands of warfighters.
The symposium kicked off with insights into the current military landscape. Cdr Trevor Bradley from the Navy Command UK and Jon Spencer from Dstl highlighted the evolving operating environment and the strategic importance of FSO communications. Dr. Gerald Bolding from Australia’s DST Group shared research on space optical communications, emphasising the CHORUS project. The session concluded with reflections from TITAN Director Professor Harald Haas and Ian Ratcliffe from Dstl.
The second session focused on low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) activities, featuring academic perspectives from global experts. Professors Steve Hranilovic, Maïté Brandt-Pearce, and Harald Haas, along with Dr. Matthew Warden and Dr. Francis Bennet, discussed innovative research and its potential applications in FSO communications.
Industry leaders took the stage in the third session to present high TRL activities. Representatives from pureLiFi, Tesat, Aalyria, QinetiQ, Astrolight, Archangel Lightworks, AVOptics, TNO, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Mynaric, Mbryonics, Honeywell, Cailabs, and WORK Microwave showcased their advancements in laser systems and FSO technologies. This session underscored the collaborative efforts between academia and industry to push the boundaries of FSO communications.
The final session addressed the remaining challenges in FSO communications, particularly interoperability and standards. William D. Crowe from the Space Development Agency led the discussion, highlighting the need for unified standards to ensure seamless integration of FSO technologies in military operations.
The symposium concluded with a wrap-up discussion and a summary of the next steps by Ian Ratcliffe and Professor Harald Haas.
This event not only showcased the latest advancements in FSO communications but also fostered collaboration among researchers, industry leaders, and military stakeholders, paving the way for future innovations in this critical field.
TITAN is part of the Federated Telecoms Hubs (FTH) alongside CHEDDAR, HASC, and JOINER. Together, we conduct world-leading R&D and create a new knowledge-sharing framework, roadmap technology, develop skills, and engage with standards while instilling a commercialisation-focused mindset across academia.
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