Software Architecture for Multi-Domain Pointing, Acquisition and Tracking in Free-Space Optical Communication

Kurzfassung

Free-Space Optical Communication (FSOC) enables the establishment of long distance optical communication links between terminals over a free-space medium (atmosphere or vacuum). It offers several advantages over radio frequency (RF) links, including enhanced security, increased data transmission rates, and in certain instances, quantum communication capabilities. Successfully establishing a free space optical communication link is a challenging task as it needs to align optical terminals at both ends with a high level of accuracy and responsiveness throughout the link. The process of aligning these elements is called Pointing Acquisition and Tracking (PAT).

In this work we present a modular software architecture which is designed from the ground up to realize all aspects necessary for implementing a PAT system. We used a lightweight core architecture in order to avoid feature creep and improve maintainability and scaling.

We validate the performance of our applications by estimating the open-loop tracking error when tracking aircraft and measure the close-loop tracking error for static test sources, LCTs and stars.