PUNE — Photonics and defence technology firm olee.space said on Friday it has demonstrated a wireless laser communication system capable of transmitting data at 10 gigabits per second over a distance of 20 km, a development it said could support high-reliability links for defence and other strategic uses.
The company said the system was designed, manufactured and tested in India with about 85% local content, and that the demonstration validated its ability to deliver long-range optical wireless links under representative atmospheric conditions.
Wireless laser communication, also known as free-space optical communication, uses laser beams to transmit data through the air, offering an alternative to radio-based systems in environments where spectrum is congested or where electronic interference is a concern.
The startup said its platform integrates precision opto-mechanical subsystems developed in-house, including an Indian-manufactured gimbal with arc-second level pointing precision and a fast steering mirror assembly.
It said a dual-stage stabilisation system using voice-coil and piezo-mounted actuators helps maintain link stability over long distances under dynamic conditions.
“Achieving a 20 km, 10 Gbps optical link with carrier-grade availability under Indian operating conditions is a significant milestone,” James Solomon, founder and chief executive of olee.space, said in a statement.
The company said the system achieved link availability of 99.9999% during performance validation and described wireless laser communication as offering advantages including spectrum independence, low probability of interception and resistance to electronic jamming.
It said this can make the technology relevant for defence and government applications where conventional radio frequency systems may face operational constraints.
olee.space said the design, integration and field demonstration were completed within four months of project funding.
The company said the architecture is intended to be adaptable across terrestrial, maritime and aerial platforms, as well as high-altitude systems and future space-based communications, subject to platform-specific integration.
