©️ Laser links between low Earth orbit satellites

G&H Featured in Photonics Spectra: Advancing Fiber Amplifiers for Satellite Communications

October 2026

Fiber Amplifiers Edge Closer to Powering Feeder Links and the Terabit Satellite Era

As satellite networks carry increasing volumes of data, the connections between space-based systems and ground infrastructure must keep pace. Optical feeder links offer a route to higher-capacity communications, using laser technology to transfer information between satellites and optical ground stations. Delivering these links requires powerful optical signals that preserve the integrity of the data they carry.

In the October 2026 issue of Photonics Spectra, G&H’s Peter Kean and Efstratios “Stratos” Kehayas examine the role of fiber amplifiers in this transition. Their article explores the engineering challenges behind high-power optical transmission and the developments bringing terabit satellite communications closer to practical implementation.

©️ G&H rack mounted fiber amplifier units

Increasing Optical Power While Protecting the Signal

For optical feeder links, generating sufficient power is only part of the challenge. As power increases within a fiber amplifier, nonlinear optical effects can distort the transmitted signal. Managing these interactions is essential to ensuring that higher output power translates into useful communications capacity.

The article examines effects such as four-wave mixing, where interactions between wavelength channels generate additional optical frequencies that can interfere with the information being transmitted. Addressing these challenges requires careful consideration of amplifier design, component selection and the wider communications architecture. This balance between power and signal quality is central to developing high-performance optical links capable of supporting the demands of future satellite networks.

For system developers, this means considering signal integrity from the earliest design stages. By addressing power requirements and signal distortion together, amplifier development can focus on delivering the optical performance needed to support reliable, high-data-rate satellite communications.

©️ Private

Combining Fiber Expertise with Integrated System Engineering

Developing an amplifier for demanding communications applications requires expertise across the complete photonic system. Optical performance must be considered alongside electronic control, thermal management, monitoring and packaging, so that the technology can be integrated effectively into the customer’s equipment.

G&H brings together capabilities in fiber processing, optical component manufacture and photonic integration to support this development process. Working collaboratively with customers, our teams help define optical, mechanical, electrical and environmental requirements from the outset. From feasibility assessment and design through to qualification and manufacture, this coordinated approach helps reduce integration complexity and supports the transition from individual components to application-specific modules and subsystems for satellite communications and other demanding applications.

Vertigo project laser communications©️ Thales Alenia Space

Translating High-Power Amplifier Expertise into Practical Solutions

G&H’s contributions to the VERTIGO and EPOS programs have supported the development of high-power optical amplification for future satellite links. This work complements our wider experience in space photonics and informs an expanding portfolio of technologies for optical communications.

Our 50 W Optical Fiber Amplifier brings this expertise into a practical platform for optical ground stations and satellite uplinks. Designed to amplify modulated C-band signals, it combines optical amplification, electronic control and monitoring within a standard rack-mount enclosure. Support for DP-QPSK and OOK modulation, external control interfaces and water-cooled thermal management helps developers integrate the amplifier into communications and test infrastructure. It provides a platform for applications requiring both high optical output power and controlled signal amplification.

Read the full article

Photonics Spectra Magazine