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Optical Access TereScopes Video Alignment For laser communications, alignment is the most critical factor in maintaining proper performance. The TereScopes use collimated laser beams to transmit signals between two locations. To maximize the user's ability to check and maintain proper alignment, Optical Access developed a video alignment system that directly verifies that the laser is centered on the receiver. This alignment system is the result of years of government -sponsored research and has proven to be the most effective means of establishing and maintaining an optical communication link. This is how the video alignment works: (a) A TV or other video monitor is connected to the SNC video output located in the TereScope electronics box. (b) The video feed comes from an internal camera which is focused on the TereScope's laser detector. The detector will be visible as a circle in the middle of the monitor screen. (c) Once the TereScope units have been roughly aligned by using the external spotting scopes, a bright light will appear on the video monitor. This light is the laser being transmitted by the other unit (see below). (d) Perfect alignment is then a simple matter of using the fine threaded alignment screws to center the Iaser light on the detector. Left. The system is roughly aligned. Without video feedback, other laser systems are not able to determine that the system is slightly misaligned. Right: The system is perfectly aligned using visual feedback. The alignment on the right has more mispointing tolerance and will therefore be more robust and provide better long-term performance. The TereScopes also incorporate the ability to monitor the units' receive powers and other system diagnostics via a palm computer or PC, However, without the video alignment feedback, aligning purely on the basis of receive power levels cannot guarantee perfect alignment. �. �, �. ; fin, � , � � ;• www.opilcalaccess.com 10343 Ro3elle Street, San