Altera is collaborating with the Defense Innovation Unit to develop a highly reconfigurable coherent free-space optics (FSO) modem prototype for the Resilient Adaptive Zero-latency Optical Relay for Broadband All-domain Communications (RAZORBAC) program. The effort centers on using Altera’s Agilex FPGA technology and advanced packaging capabilities to build a Multi-Chip Package (MCP) platform designed for resilient, secure, high-speed optical communications across space, air, and ground domains.
RAZORBAC aims to enable adaptive, high-bandwidth optical networks that can dynamically respond to changing mission requirements. Altera said its FPGA-based coherent modem architecture is intended to support interoperable optical links between satellite constellations and across orbital layers, helping create more flexible optical interconnects for both defense and commercial use cases. Potential applications include optical inter-satellite links, high-throughput satellite backbone connectivity, and broadband infrastructure where systems must accommodate changing protocols, waveforms, and operational conditions without requiring hardware redesign.
The work extends earlier U.S. government-backed initiatives including Space-BACN and reflects broader momentum behind laser communications and open optical networking architectures. Interest in free-space optical communications continues to rise as both government and commercial operators look for secure, high-capacity links with low probability of intercept. The long-term goal is to enable interoperable optical mesh networking between satellites, spacecraft, and ground terminals—effectively creating a scalable optical communications layer in space.
- Altera is contributing Agilex FPGA and advanced packaging technology to the DIU RAZORBAC effort
- Prototype targets coherent free-space optics modem functionality using a reconfigurable MCP design
- Designed for optical links spanning satellite constellations, orbital layers, air, and ground networks
- Supports evolving waveforms and protocols through programmable hardware rather than fixed-function redesign
- Potential applications include optical inter-satellite links, defense communications, and high-capacity broadband backbone networks
“In today’s rapidly evolving, highly dynamic, and complex communications environment, flexibility is mission critical for operational readiness,” said Gopi Jandhyala, Head of Platform, Architecture and Chip Engineering at Altera. “Programmable solutions enable systems to evolve in real time while reducing development risk and accelerating deployment. We believe reconfigurable architectures will play a foundational role in the future of resilient optical networking.”