Development of optical intersatellite link (OISL) and quantum communication terminals at Honeywell

H. Podmore; D. Hudson; A. Scott; B. Taylor; M. Taylor; A. McColgan; B. MacKay; H. Beica

doi:10.1117/12.3018017

13 March 2024 Development of optical intersatellite link (OISL) and quantum communication terminals at Honeywell

H. Podmore, D. Hudson, A. Scott, B. Taylor, M. Taylor, A. McColgan, B. MacKay, H. Beica

Proceedings Volume 12877, Free-Space Laser Communications XXXVI; 1287720 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3018017
Event: SPIE LASE, 2024, San Francisco, California, United States

Conference Poster

Abstract

In this talk we report on the development of OISL terminals at Honeywell for high-speed crosslinks in LEO mega constellations, optical downlinks for EO data transfer, and QKD applications. Since 2017 Honeywell has been actively developing a 100 mm class, high-reliability OISL laser communication terminal named the LCT100. Honeywell has also been developed terminals suitable for quantum communication and QKD applications, including a quantum-enabled version of the LCT100 crosslink terminal, and a 250 mm class terminal for Canada’s Quantum Encryption and Science Satellite (QEYSSat) which is capable of distributing provably secure encryption keys to ground stations separated by 400 km or more. Major technical challenges include accurate pointing and tracking, polarization-management throughout the optical chain, and deep suppression of background and stray light sources, given the nature of single photon exchange over large distances. Honeywell will fly both QKD and classical terminals on the upcoming QEYSSat mission and in this talk we discuss the design and the readiness of these technologies to address the current challenges in LEO crosslinks and FSO communications.

Citation Download Citation

H. Podmore, D. Hudson, A. Scott, B. Taylor, M. Taylor, A. McColgan, B. MacKay, and H. Beica "Development of optical intersatellite link (OISL) and quantum communication terminals at Honeywell", Proc. SPIE 12877, Free-Space Laser Communications XXXVI, 1287720 (13 March 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3018017

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