They develop airborne communication systems that use laser technology to transmit data, aiming to make high‑speed, line‑of‑sight links a standard commodity. The solution targets platforms such as drones and aircraft, offering secure, low‑latency connectivity without relying on traditional radio frequencies.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Airborne platforms such as drones and aircraft typically rely on radio‑frequency links that offer limited bandwidth, are susceptible to jamming and interference, and require spectrum licensing, which constrains high‑speed, low‑latency communications.
Solution
Cucuyo provides a free‑space optical (FSO) communication terminal that creates line‑of‑sight laser links between aerial platforms and ground stations. The P‑100 terminal weighs roughly 1.5 kg and delivers symmetric 1 Gbps data rates over distances up to 40 km. Pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) technology keeps the laser beam aligned despite platform motion and atmospheric effects. Operating at an eye‑safe 1.550 µm infrared wavelength (class 1M), the link is virtually impossible to jam, detect, or locate. The system also offers GNSS‑substitution capability, providing navigation continuity when satellite signals are disrupted, and eliminates the need for country‑specific frequency registration. Its plug‑and‑play architecture allows it to replace or augment existing data‑link equipment with minimal integration effort.
Target Audience
Primary customers are UAV manufacturers, drone operators, aerospace and defense organizations, and remote‑sensing platforms that require high‑bandwidth, low‑latency, and secure airborne data links.
Features
- Weight of approximately 1.5 kg, making it suitable for UAV and aircraft payloads
- Bidirectional 1 Gbps data throughput over line‑of‑sight distances up to 40 km
- Integrated PAT subsystem for automatic beam alignment in aerial applications
- Infrared 1.550 µm laser source classified as eye‑safe (class 1M) for secure, jam‑resistant communication
- Built‑in GNSS substitution capability to maintain navigation when satellite signals are unavailable
- Plug‑and‑play design that can replace or augment existing data‑link hardware without extensive re‑engineering
- Utilizes low‑cost optical core technologies to keep the terminal affordable for mass deployment