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Free Space Optics

High-capacity communications for the electronic warfare environment

The Next Frontier for Net-Centric Connectivity

As peer and near-peer adversaries have developed Electronic Warfare (EW) capabilities that can detect, disrupt, and degrade traditional communications networks, technologies like Free Space Optical Communications (FSOC) are rapidly emerging as reliable and resilient alternatives for connectivity in contested environments. By leveraging Viasat's commercial innovation in ASIC modem design and development and security experience in network encryption, our FSOC system delivers a significantly higher range and throughput  than existing solutions in the tactical environment - making it a coveted and covert communications component for any operational scenario. 

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Mercury Free Space Optics Benefits

  • Spectrum
    Greater Regulatory Flexibility

    Does not rely on the use of heavily regulated radio frequency spectrum

  • World view with connection lines between the different continents
    High Capacity

    Provides a robust, persistent link of up to 20 Gbps, at a range of up to 70 km in multi-channel approach

  • Green radar display
    LPI/LPD

    Highly resistant to jamming, spoofing and electro-magnetic interference (EMI) compared to RF systems

  • Aerial view of a man dressed in camo reaching up towards coils of green cables
    Simple to Setup

    Separate acquisition beacon and SWIR camera, allowing autonomous acquisition, pointing and tracking for Comms-on-the-pause (COTP) and Comms-on-the-move (COTM)

Product image of a tan free space optical communications terminal

FSOC Terminal for the Tactical Edge

Viasat’s Mercury FSOC Terminal enhances warfighter communications in a spectrum-congested/contested environment

 

Enabled for multiple expeditionary communications environments including Ground-to-Ground, Ground-to-Air, Ship to-Ship, and Ship-to-Shore, FSOC evolves line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight communications with distributed cloud access across jam resistant, high-capacity network links.  Viasat's Mercury FSOC solution is designed to be highly mobile and simple to use, making it easier for service members to deploy and for the system to stay aligned and linked to the distant end terminal.

Physical
  • Size 23.2" x 24.8" x 24.3" 
  • Weight <100 lbs
  • Power 48 VDC, 200W peak

Performance

  • Data Rates of up to 20 Gbps bidirectional
  • Up to 50 km for terrestrial point-to-point links

Environmental

  • Operating Temperature -30°C to 55°C
  • Enclosure Outdoor/Marine MIL-STD-810 compliant

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Looking for an innovative solution? Talk to us about your needs.

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The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.