New step towards ecosystem for laser satellite communication
The agreement marks both parties’ commitment to build up a long-term partnership to establish an European ecosystem for laser satellite communication, based in the Netherlands
TNO and FSO Instruments today announced that they have entered into license and cooperation agreements. Under the agreements FSO Instruments will obtain worldwide rights to industrialize and commercialize TNO’s laser satellite communication technology. This optical technology enables much faster and more secure broadband connectivity than the radio frequencies that are currently used.
The twenty-year license agreement enables FSO Instruments to use TNO’s technology and expertise in optical heads, optical benches and system for coarse pointing alignment. FSO Instruments builds on TNO technology and integrates it into products that can be produced reliably and efficiently in series for commercial use. In addition to a license agreement for technologies used today, TNO and FSO Instruments have also agreed to a long-term cooperation for the development of innovative technologies and applications for laser communication. In this cooperation TNO will focus on early technology development and demonstrators while FSO instruments will be responsible for technology industrialization, manufacturing, and market development.
Will Crowcombe, Managing Director FSO Instruments: “TNO is a key partner for FSO Instruments. Our cooperation that industrializes valuable applied research into commercial products is a textbook example of valorization. This agreement enhances our capacity to create the supply chain we need to be a leading provider of optical heads for laser satellite communication.“
Laser satellite communication operates by forming laser beams and transmitting them across large distances. The technology provides links between ground stations, satellites, aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles. It can achieve data transfer speeds of 100 to 1000 times faster than radio frequencies currently used for communications. It is also more secure because very narrow optical laser beams are used instead of much wider spread radio signals. Laser satellite communication requires complex technology, opto-mechatronics, to ensure fast and reliable links. It enables the required further growth of communication to and through space powering many applications in the process. Examples of this are more secure internet banking, self-driving cars, fast and reliable internet in aircraft and offshore platforms as well as in in rural areas for consumers, governments, and businesses. Next to that it can protect soldiers on missions through more secure military communications, making it relevant for defense purposes as well.
“Enabling FSO Instruments to use TNO’s laser communication technology immediately strengthens the position of the Netherlands and Europe in this rapidly emerging and highly competitive global value chain.” Kees Buijsrogge, Director Space & Scientific Instrumentation at TNO.
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