Free-space optical communication uses multibeam communications, for example
between a base station and multiple remote stations. To improve efficiency
and reduce complexity, the base station transmitter utilizes a single
wide-angle objective lens for all of the optical beams' radiation sources.
The optical radiation sources are provided with fiberoptic transmitting
pigtails with output ends installed on a curved surface in relation to the
single wide-angle objective lens at locations in the areas optically
conjugated with the remote subscriber receivers. In a system for two-way
communication, optical receivers are provided with fiberoptic receiving
pigtails with input ends positioned on the curved surface at locations
relative to the wide-angle objective lens, which are optically conjugated
with the remote subscriber radiation sources. In the preferred
embodiments, the mountings of the output and input ends of the
transmitting and the receiving pigtails enable their movement along the
curved surface as well as along an optical beam axis. Also, a preferred
embodiment of the optical system enables movement of the wide angle
objective lens together with the output and input ends of the transmitting
and the receiving pigtails about horizontal and vertical axes.
