One of the most promising emerging technologies for satellite communications is optical or laser communications. The optical communications market is projected by market research firm Astute Analytics to reach US$ 6.7 Billion by 2033. To shed light on this market, Satellite Executive Briefing spoke with Thomas Fröhlich, CEO of WORK Microwave, one of the leading companies providing optical communication products.
Please give us a brief overview of your product and service offerings for the optical communications market?
WORK Microwave has started to develop the optical modem a few years ago as a derivative of our Wideband DVB-S2X Modem. Quickly, we have expanded the suite of products and built up an end-to-end solution for an entire Optical Ground Station (OGS), consisting of the telescope, optical bench, optical detector, modem, electro-optical converter, high power amplifier and beacon optics, and the associated OGS controller to orchestrate it all.
To our customers, we offer services ranging from site selection review and customized solution engineering to operational hand-over and training.
What are the key differentiators and benefits of your optical communication products?
No other OGS system provider today has the capability to offer the entire portfolio of opto-electronic devices we call the “comms package”, which is essentially the complete signal chain that WORK Microwave has fully developed in-house. We have unique experience in integrating that with the opto-mechanical elements into a satellite communication system. I think today we have gained as well the largest experience of all competitors in designing and implementing a 24/7 operational OGS, practically a commercialization, not just for experimental setups.
Can you cite a case where your optical communications products were used to fulfill a customer’s requirements?
Well, we cannot disclose too much but a very large governmental customer has entrusted us with the implementation of a turn-key OGS that has 24/7 operational constraints. In many other cases, we have provided and integrated comms packages with telescopes of various suppliers.
How do you see the market for your optical communication products going forward?
WORK Microwave is looking very positively ahead concerning optical communication. It is true that the technology must be considered still as very young, and it definitely needs to make its proof in systems that require a very high degree of availability and reliability. Most OGS solutions installed today are still rather of scientific usage and punctual operation, far from 24/7. But the technology has undisputed advantages in data rates, bandwidth and also security with respect to interception and jamming. Therefore, governmental applications are and will remain a key pilot user.
Anything else you would like to add?
I thank you for having given me this opportunity to present our company’s solution and my personal thoughts. Our team will be delighted to answer requests for further information from any interested party. We will be also present at the IBC show at Amsterdam – come to our booth at Hall 1, booth # A44 and talk to us!
For more information on WORK Microwave's optical communciation solutions go to: www.work-microwave.com
