High speed laser communication network for satellite systems

Allen Panahi; Alex A. Kazemi

doi:10.1117/12.886494

26 May 2011 High speed laser communication network for satellite systems

Allen Panahi, Alex A. Kazemi

Proceedings Volume 8026, Photonic Applications for Aerospace, Transportation, and Harsh Environment II; 80260L (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.886494
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2011, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

Using optical links in space and building high speed laser communications network has proven to be an extremely complicated task and many such schemes were tried without success in the past. However, in the last few years, there has been impressive progress made to bring the concept to fruition in civilian and government-non classified projects. In this paper we will focus on the requirements of the space-based lasers and optics used for beam forming, as well as receiver antenna gain and detectors used in free space communications. High data rate, small antenna size, narrow beam divergence, and a narrow field of view are characteristics of laser communications that offer a number of potential advantages for system design. Space-based optical communications using satellites in low earth orbit (LEO) and Geo-synchronous orbits (GEO) hold great promise for the proposed Internet in the Sky network of the future. Also discussed are the critical parameters in the transmitter, channel, receiver, and link budget that are employed in successful inter-satellite communications system. We cover that Laser Communications offer a viable alternative to established RF communications for inter-satellite links and other applications where high performance links are a necessity.

Citation Download Citation

Allen Panahi and Alex A. Kazemi "High speed laser communication network for satellite systems", Proc. SPIE 8026, Photonic Applications for Aerospace, Transportation, and Harsh Environment II, 80260L (26 May 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.886494

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available