Exciter assembly telemetry

This invention relates to a system for controlling the flow of current to windings used in rotating machinery, and more particularly to controlling the flow of current to superconducting windings. The application also relates to telemetry electronics for exchanging information with, and about, the system. An exciter assembly supplies current to a superconducting load. The exciter assembly includes a transformer for generating the current and an optical emitter and an optical receiver. The transformer includes a stationary winding portion having a stationary winding and a rotatable winding portion having a rotatable winding that outputs the current for the superconducting load. The optical emitter and the optical receiver define an optical path over which information is exchanged between the stationary winding portion and the rotatable winding portion.