Knopp, Marcus Thomas and Spörl, Andreas and Gnat, Marcin and Rossmanith, Gregor Johannes and Huber, Felix and Fuchs, Christian and Giggenbach, Dirk (2019) Towards the utilization of optical ground-to-space links for low earth orbiting spacecraft. Acta Astronautica (166), pp. 147-155. Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2019.10.011. ISSN 0094-5765.
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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2019.10.011
Abstract
The microwave spectrum has become a highly limited resource in satellite communications owing to an ever increasing demand for bandwidth and capacity. Therefore, a shift to the exploitation of optical carrier frequencies is currently underway. Focusing on high-rate transmissions of payload data from remote sensing satellites, operational systems, like the well-known European Data Relay Satellite system, are based on optical inter-satellite links. Besides, direct-to-earth free-space optical communications from low Earth orbiting spacecraft hold high potential for upcoming space missions through lower complexity. In that regard, we study the viability of the ground-to-space beacon laser signal of optical ground stations to be additionally modulated with tele-command tokens. Such an optical return channel could be variously put into use, for example to trigger automatic repeat requests of payload data downlinks, for jamming-free control of the spacecraft or for high-rate software uploads to its on-board processor. A particular challenge is posed by the unequal fading behavior of the optical channel regarding the down- and uplinks, which cover asymmetric optical pathways through the atmosphere. We define the end-to-end architecture of the communication chain including the transmitter on ground and the space-based receiver. Special attention is given to compatibility with established space data and system standards. Moreover, we examine the effects on the scheduling of satellite control, resulting from a constrained availability of the optical uplink due to cloud blockages. Our analysis aims at the employment of available space protocols for bidirectional optical communications with low earth orbiting spacecraft. Further on, we consider the adoption of upcoming standards to account for the optical fading channel. Certain applications like immediate automatic-repeat-requests for the downlink will require novel, optimized protocols.
Item URL in elib: | https://elib.dlr.de/130017/ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Document Type: | Article | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Title: | Towards the utilization of optical ground-to-space links for low earth orbiting spacecraft | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Authors: |
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Date: | 12 October 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Journal or Publication Title: | Acta Astronautica | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Refereed publication: | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Open Access: | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gold Open Access: | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In SCOPUS: | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In ISI Web of Science: | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
DOI: | 10.1016/j.actaastro.2019.10.011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Page Range: | pp. 147-155 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Publisher: | Elsevier | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ISSN: | 0094-5765 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Status: | Published | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Keywords: | Free-space optical communication, satellite communications, optical ground-to-space links, direct-to-earth links, Automated Repeat-Request, Telemetry and Tele-Command, KNOCGOP | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
HGF - Research field: | Energy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
HGF - Program: | other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
HGF - Program Themes: | E - no assignment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
DLR - Research area: | Energy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
DLR - Program: | E - no assignment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
DLR - Research theme (Project): | E - no assignment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Location: | Oberpfaffenhofen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Institutes and Institutions: | Space Operations and Astronaut Training > Controlling and Acquisition Space Operations and Astronaut Training > Mission Operations Space Operations and Astronaut Training > Mission Technology Space Operations and Astronaut Training > Communication and Ground Stations Institute of Communication and Navigation > Satellite Networks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Deposited By: | Knopp, Dr Marcus Thomas | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Deposited On: | 19 Nov 2019 17:34 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Modified: | 31 Oct 2023 13:47 |
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