NASA's new light-based modem will transmit data up to 100 times faster than radio signals
NASA is developing a modem that incorporates light-based technology to help enable dramatically faster communications between spacecraft and ground stations.
The device, which is scheduled to be tested on board the International Space Station in 2020, is part of a broader NASA project called the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD).
This laser system, which the space agency says could dramatically overhaul today's radio frequency (RF) communications, will enable data transmissions at rates 10 to 100 times faster than what's currently possible.
Article:
http://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2016/nasa-engineers-tapped-to-build-first-integrated-photonics-modem
http://www.sciencealert.com/nasa-s-new-photonics-modem-will-help-lasers-carry-data-at-up-to-100-times-faster-than-today-s-radio-signals
Read & Learn about LCRD:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/tdm/lcrd/index.html
#scitech #innovation #photonicsmodem
sounds great !
ReplyDeleteOooh, so when they get it perfected, it'll really speed up comms with mars! Laser modem!
ReplyDeleteann kiszt It won't speed up comms. We will still have a 4 - 24 minutes for the signal to reach Mars (depending the ever changing distance from Earth to Mars as they orbit the sun.)
ReplyDeleteWhat will be improved is the bandwidth which means more data. Just like an audio stream takes a little bandwidth than a HD video stream. So basicly higher quality comms, but still having that longer latency. It would suck for playing WOW with your friends on Mars.