Free Space Laser Communication

Posted on March 5, 2012 by justin

Optical communication between a transmitter and a receiver is accomplished by converting electrical energy into modulated light energy at the transmitter, transmitting the light wave via suitable channel like the optical fiber or free space and the receiver demodulates the modulated light signal into electrical signal. The major advantages of using optical communication over other modes of communication are 1. Smaller size and weight of transmitter and receiver used 2. Less transmitter power is required compared to others 3. Larger bandwidth 4. High Immunity to interference This great potential of light for communication can also be exploited for satellite communication. But the major complexity in using any mode of communication for satellite communication is the difficulty associated with pointing the transmitter to the desired satellite. The pointing systems in the satellite vibrate continuously due to the vibrations from the subsystem operation and environmental sources this effect will reduce the effective power which is received by the receiver. This effect will increase the effective Bit Error Rate (BER) for a given bandwidth of the system. In a laser based satellite communication system the major components are a transmitter and receiver system. The basic structure of the transmitter and receiver are shown below.

The Receiver Schematic

Transmitter Schematic These systems when considered practically are void of any negative effect to environment and human health. An added advantage of using thesse systems in space communication is the relief from regulatory, licensing and frequency management and conditional issues encountered in the RF systems.

Free Space Laser Communications

Definition Lasers have been considered for space communications since their realization in 1960. However, it was soon recognized that, although the laser had potential for the transfer of data at extremely high rates, specific advancements were needed in component performance and systems engineering, particularly for space-qualified hardware. Advances in system architecture, data formatting, and component technology over the past three decades have made laser communications in space not only a viable but also a attractive approach to intersatellite link applications. The high data rate and large information throughput available with laser communications are many times greater than in radio frequency (RF) systems. The small antenna size requires only a small increase in the weight and volume of host vehicle. In addition, this feature substantially reduces blockage of fields of view of the most desirable areas on satellites. The smaller antennas, with diameters typically less than 30cm, create less momentum disturbance to any sensitive satellite sensors. Fewer onboard consumables are required over the long lifetime because there is less disturbance to the satellite compared with larger and heavier RF systems. The narrow beam divergence of affords interference-free and secure operation. Features Of Laser Communications System A block diagram of typical terminal is illustrated in Fig 1. Information, typically in the form of digital data, is input to data electronics that modulates the transmitting laser source. Direct or indirect modulation techniques may be employed depending on the type of laser employed. The source output passes through an optical system into the channel. The optical system typically includes transfer, beam shaping, and telescope optics. The receiver beam comes in through the optical system and is passed along to detectors and signal processing electronics. There are also terminal control electronics that must control the gimbals and other steering mechanisms, and servos, to keep the acquisition and tracking system operating in the designed modes of operation. Operation Free space laser communications systems are wireless connections through the atmosphere. They work similar to fiber optic cable systems except the beam is transmitted through open space. The carrier used for the transmission of this signal is generated by either a high power LED or a laser diode. The laser systems operate in the near infrared region of the spectrum. The laser light across the link is at a wavelength of between 780 - 920 nm. Two parallel beams are used, one for transmission and one for reception. Acquisition And Tracking There are three basic steps to laser communication: acquisition, tracking, and communications. Of the three, acquisition is generally the most difficult; angular tracking is usually the easiest. Communications depends on bandwidth or data rate, but is generally easier than acquisition unless very high data rates are required. Acquisition is the most difficult because laser beams are typically much smaller than the area of uncertainty. Satellites do not know exactly where they are or where the other platform is located, and since everything moves with some degree of uncertainty, they cannot take very long to search or the reference is lost. Instability of the platforms also causes uncertainty in time. In the ideal acquisition method, the beam width of the source is greater than the angle of uncertainty in the location of receiver. The receiver field of includes the location uncertainty of the transmitter. Unfortunately, this ideal method requires a significant amount of laser power.

It is possible to operate a number of laser types at high peak power and low duty cycle to make acquisition easier. This is because a lower pulse rate is needed for acquisition than for tracking and communications. High peak power pulses more easily overcome the receiver set
FREE SPACE LASER COMMUNICATION Background Until recently the united states government was funding the development of an operation space laser cross-link system employing solid-state laser technology. The NASA is developing technology and studying the applicability of space laser communication to NASAs tracking and data relay network both as cross-link and for user relay link. Presently,ongoing hardware development efforts include ESAs space satellite link experiment(LCE) INTRODUCTION LASERs have been used for space communications since their realization Advances in system architecture, data formatting and component technology over past few years results in the usage of laser communication in intersatellite link applications This technology offers usage of lightweight payloads in satellites SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS Link parameters Transmitter parameters Channel parameters Receiver parameters Detector parameters FEATURES OF LASER COMMUNICATION High bandwidth High data rate Usage of small size antenna Narrow beam divergence LAY OUT WORKING Schematic diagram Flow chart Acquisition and tracking Schematic diagram FLOW CHART ACQUISITION AND TRACKING Acquisition is the most difficult because laser beams are typically much smaller than the area of uncertainty. Satellites do not know exactly where they are or where the other platform is located, and since everything moves with some degree of uncertainty, they cannot take very long to search Instability of the platforms also causes uncertainty in time. In the ideal acquisition method, the beam width of the source is greater than the angle of uncertainty in the location of receiver. The receiver field of includes the location uncertainty of the transmitter. MERITS They are not subject to government licensing since it operate within the near infrared spectrum. It eliminates the need for securing right of ways and buried cable installations. The systems are quickly deployable since no radio interference. Ability to use smaller optics. DEMERITS It provide only interconnection between points that have direct line-of-sight(los). For each glass surface the light intensity is reduced, thus reducing the operational distance of a system. Occasionally short interruptions or unavailability events lasting from some hours up to a few days can occur. HISTORY OF SPACE LASER CONCLUSION The implementation of the system in an inter-satellite link will require a substantial development effort. The growing requirements for the efficient and secure communications has led to an increased interest in the operation deployment of laser cross-links for commercial and military satellite system in both low earth and geo-synchronous orbits. Reference: http://seminarprojects.com/Thread-free-space-laser-communications--727#ixzz1saROQ73F