Abstract

We propose a laser nutation tracking sensor for beaconless laser communication, which uses a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) mirror to achieve high-efficiency and large-amplitude nutation at its resonant frequency. We derive a new formula for the case of incompletely detectable optical power in the nutation cycle. In the experiment, we measure the performance of the sensor in calculating boresight error under three different nutation radii. Combining with the proposed algorithm for the new scene, we complete the accurate boresight calculation in the range of ${\pm}200\;\unicode{x00B5}{\rm rad}$, at the nutation radius of 4.9 µm. We trust that the receiving field of view (FOV) of this tracking sensor can be further expanded by increasing the nutation radius. The sensor, as proposed in this paper, will be of constructive help to simplify tracking systems in the future.

© 2020 Optical Society of America

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