Communication Systems

We develop advanced systems and technology to enable the next generation of communications networks. Our work explores how to make satellite communications more resilient, how to make longer and faster laser datalinks to space, and how to improve tactical radios for soldiers.

Advanced Lasercom Systems and Operations
Advanced RF Techniques and Systems
Advanced SATCOM Systems and Operations
Optical and Quantum Communications Technology
Tactical Networks

We design, prototype, analyze, and test laser communications systems.

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A schematic of a laser communications terminal onboard the International Space Station transmitting data over laser signals to a smaller satellite at a higher altitude; this satellite then relays the data to Earth.

ILLUMA-T launches to the International Space Station

Nov 9

An up-close of a quantum repeater module mounted on a gold-plated copper assembly and connected to green printed circuit boards, with optical fibers routed up.

Quantum repeaters use defects in diamond to interconnect quantum systems

Sep 11

A piece of hardware showing a copper mount with integrated circuit components bonded to it

Awards

Lincoln Laboratory technologies win five R&D World awards

Sep 7

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An illustration of data being sent across a laser from a small satellite to a ground station on Earth.

laser communications

TeraByte InfraRed Delivery (TBIRD)

The laser communications payload has delivered terabytes of data from a satellite to Earth at record-breaking rates that will transform future science missions.

A rendition of a communications payload on its spacecraft host, with laser links over the Earth connecting Hawaii and California.

laser communications

Laser Communications Relay Demonstration

Optical communications technologies decades in the making at Lincoln Laboratory were transferred to NASA for its first two-way laser relay communications system.

Photo of researchers launching the weather balloons

communications

Balloon-Based Resilient Communications

High-altitude balloons used as beyond-line-of-sight relays would provide communications nodes if satellite communications could not offer coverage in contested environments.

The ASIC system on chip was fabricated using industry processes and best practices. This image shows the chip during the packaging process.

embedded computing

Advanced ASIC System on Chip for CLASS

A power-efficient application-specific integrated circuit system on chip that performs up to 2 trillion computations per second has potential for use in mobile communication systems.

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There's something inherently beautiful about manipulating light to transfer information through space, and it brings me joy to apply these elegant fundamental concepts to important applications.

Jenny Sun

Lasercom Engineer

Communication Systems

Advanced Lasercom Systems and Operations

I enjoy the mix of being hands on with day-to-day operations and of thinking longer term and helping communicate to sponsors what we are doing and why.