Issued patent
The Teletenna - A Hybrid Telescope Antenna System
An issued NASA patent from the Technology Transfer catalog.
About this technology
Overview
Innovators at NASA's Glenn Research Center have developed a hybrid telescope antenna system - Teletenna - to deliver high data-rate communication over great distances. Teletenna has the potential to benefit deep space missions and communications on Earth. By combining two very different communications systems - optics and radio frequency (RF) - Teletenna capitalizes on the benefits of each system while overcoming conflicting engineering requirements. Teletenna is a breakthrough innovation, particularly in the field of Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC), in which it could deliver high-definition imagery, live video feed, and real time data-transmission 10 to 100 times faster than current state-of-the-art technology. Teletenna supports beaconless pointing, remains nearly transparent to RF, and achieves an unprecedented level of data richness and bandwidth. This exceptionally lightweight and precise instrument stands ready to revolutionize deep space exploration, satellite communications, telecommunications, and more.