Industry Challenge
In the aerospace sector, high-performance optical components are essential for applications in avionics, communication, and sensing systems. Airbus required optical fibre assemblies that could withstand the harsh conditions of aerospace environments, including high temperatures, vibrations, and electromagnetic interference. These components must maintain reliable data transmission, durability, and precision across varying flight conditions. To meet these demands, Airbus sought to explore innovative materials and manufacturing techniques to enhance optical system performance for mission-critical aerospace applications.
AVoptics, a specialist in aerospace optics, was uniquely positioned to address these challenges, leveraging its expertise in developing advanced fibre optics tailored for the demanding needs of the aerospace sector.
Industry and Academic Collaboration
AVoptics has been a key partner to Airbus on various Free Space Optics (FSO) projects. A notable collaboration is the DAZZLE project, which focused on creating modulated retroreflectors (MRRs) for optical downlinks from small platforms, such as drones.
The DAZZLE project concentrated on the development of MRRs based on electro-absorptive modulators (EAMs), designed and fabricated by the research organisation RISE in Sweden. These modulators enabled compact, high-speed optical communication with minimal power consumption, making them ideal for small, mobile platforms like drones.
Key Results
The DAZZLE project’s transition marked a significant turning point, as external leadership was brought in to further advance the project. With funding from Endeavr, AVoptics demonstrated the third and final design iteration of the DAZZLE modulator, developed by RISE. This phase was supported by Ministry of Defence (MoD) funding, which helped validate the technology’s potential for military applications.
AVoptics took the MRR concept, which was later renamed GALAHAD, and demonstrated its own portable laser base station system designed to work alongside the MRRs. As demand for secure, high-bandwidth communication systems for unmanned systems grew, GALAHAD emerged as a key enabler for military operations, especially in areas such as drone communication and tactical data transfer.
The GALAHAD system’s success was further bolstered by support from both the Royal Air Force (RAF) and NATO. Under the RAF’s Babel Fish 12 project, the system was developed to enhance next-generation communications for military use, culminating in the first optical communications link between RAF aircraft. NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) funding also provided vital momentum, helping GALAHAD integrate into NATO’s broader communication infrastructure.
Next Steps
With continued backing from defence and military organisations, as well as efforts to move GALAHAD from prototype to product, AVoptics is focused on delivering a game-changing communication system across multiple sectors. As GALAHAD progresses toward commercialisation, it is set to become a key player in the future of optical communication, providing secure, high-speed data transfer for both military and commercial applications worldwide.