Inter-satellite optical communications: From SILEX to next generation systems

Bernard Laurent, Gilles Planche, Cyril Michel

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

Abstract

The continuous growth in data rate demand, the importance of real time commanding and real time access to the information for diverse civilian and military applications as well as the in-orbit demonstration of optical communication have led to boost the interest of such systems for future applications. After a presentation of the different fields of application and their associated performances requirements, this paper presents the possible optical link candidates. Then, the architecture, the design and the performances of new optical terminal generations, which profits from SILEX experience and the use of new technologies such as SiC and APS, are detailed. This new optimised generation, highly simplified with respect to SILEX terminals and dimensioned to offer higher data rate, presents attractive mass, volume and power characteristics compatible with a simple accommodation on the host vehicle.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)395-402
Number of pages8
JournalEuropean Space Agency, (Special Publication) ESA SP
Issue number554
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2004
Externally publishedYes
EventProceedings of the 5th International Conference on Space Optics (ICSO 2004) - Toulouse, France
Duration: 30 Mar 20042 Apr 2004

Keywords

  • Data relay
  • Deep Space
  • Earth Observation
  • Optical Links

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