Optical Design Engineering for Aerospace and Defense
Predict optical system performance before you build.
Aerospace Imaging SystemsDesign cameras, telescopes, EO/IR systems, hyperspectral imagers, and satellite payloads while evaluating image quality, environmental effects, and system-level performance.
Space & Satellite SystemsModel optical systems for Earth observation, space payloads, and optical communications applications operating in mission-critical environments.
Directed Energy & Defense SystemsDevelop optical systems for laser, sensing, targeting, and defense applications while evaluating tolerances, alignment, and system performance.
Optical Communications & PhotonicsDesign free-space optical communications, satellite interconnects, photonic devices, and optical networking technologies for aerospace platforms.
Support every stage of aerospace optical system development with integrated solutions for optical design, analysis, imaging simulation, photonic design, optical measurements, and engineering services. Evaluate performance earlier, reduce development risk, and make informed design decisions before hardware is built.
Discover Aerospace Engineering Resources
Engineering Optics for Aerospace Imagers: Digital-Twin Workflows from Concept to Validated Systems
Earth observation systems and aerial drones share optical systems design workflow similarities – from telescope and imager architectures, stray-light control, and multi-spectral performance requirements for a variety of applications.
In this webinar, we will share a few of these workflows and approach to those common threads through the optical system requirements and architecture development.
Blogs
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Application Notes
Accelerating High-Fidelity End-to-End Image Simulation with Stand-Alone Workflows
Flyers
What’s New in CODE V 2026
White Papers
Environmental Modeling and Athermalization in CODE V
White Papers
Environmental Modeling and Athermalization in CODE V
Solution Briefs
Environmental Modeling and Athermalizing for Imaging Lens Design
Brochures
CODE V Optical Design Software
Brochures
LightTools Illumination Design Software
Data Sheets
ImSym — Imaging System Simulator
White Papers
Choosing the Right Photonic Device Design Software
Have Questions? We've Got Answers
Virtual prototyping and simulation help engineers assess image quality, optical performance, environmental effects, and system behavior earlier in development, enabling more informed design decisions before fabrication and testing.
Keysight ODE solutions support aerospace and defense applications including EO/IR systems, satellite payloads, ISR platforms, LiDAR, optical communications, telescopes, sensing systems, and Earth observation technologies.
Simulation and analysis tools help engineers evaluate the impact of stray light, tolerances, thermal conditions, and other environmental factors that can affect system performance and image quality.
A digital twin combines optical design, simulation, and system-level modeling to help engineers predict how a system will perform under real-world operating conditions before hardware is built.
Keysight provides solutions for optical design, analysis, imaging simulation, photonic design, optical measurements, and engineering services to help engineers move from concept through validation with greater confidence.