Scalable Programmable Photonic Computing in Free Space Optical Communications and Sensing

Analog processing of information performed directly in the optical domain has enormous potential for mitigating the typical atmospheric effects in a Free Space Optical communication link, manage advanced modulation formats and even WDM signals. An integrated photonics processor based transceiver capable of compensating for scintillation and wander induced by atmospheric turbulence automatically, without any need of knowledge of the media itself is presented. Bidirectional 25Gbit/s OOK signals are successfully transmitted on an indoor setup emulating 1km long link. Control, scalability and system consideration are discussed, as well as sensing applications, such as measure the phase front of the incoming light beams.