Ground-to-space optical communication characterization

Marcos Reyes; Angel Alonso; Sergio Chueca; Jesus J. Fuensalida; Zoran Sodnik; Virginie Cessa; Aneurin Bird; Adolfo Comeron; Alejandro Rodriguez; V. Federico Dios; Juan A. Rubio

doi:10.1117/12.619205

12 September 2005 Ground to space optical communication characterization

Marcos Reyes, Angel Alonso, Sergio Chueca, Jesus J. Fuensalida, Zoran Sodnik, Virginie Cessa, Aneurin Bird, Adolfo Comeron, Alejandro Rodriguez, V. Federico Dios, Juan A. Rubio

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Proceedings Volume 5892, Free-Space Laser Communications V; 589202 (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.619205
Event: Optics and Photonics 2005, 2005, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Since the European Space Agency (ESA) geostationary data-relay satellite ARTEMIS started its operation in February 2003, ESA and the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias (IAC) have carried out routinely bidirectional optical link experiments between ARTEMIS and the Optical Ground Station (OGS), installed in the Teide Observatory of the IAC in the Canary Islands, Spain. The experiments aimed at characterizing statically and dynamically the performance of the optical downlinks and uplinks in different atmospheric turbulence conditions, together with the development and testing of appropriate theoretical models to predict the link performance. An overview of the OGS and additional facilities on top the IAC Teide Observatory is given, as well as a summary of the statistical results on propagation and communication for different experimental configurations, including different number of transmitting subapertures and divergence in the uplink. Key parameters, like scintillation and fade and surge statistics, are correlated with theoretical predictions and an analysis of the far field pattern is included. The results of the deep space uplink experiments between the OGS and ESA satellite SMART-1 are also presented. Finally ESA free space optical communication programs are summarised, including optical payloads on board different satellites.

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Marcos Reyes, Angel Alonso, Sergio Chueca, Jesus J. Fuensalida, Zoran Sodnik, Virginie Cessa, Aneurin Bird, Adolfo Comeron, Alejandro Rodriguez, V. Federico Dios, and Juan A. Rubio "Ground to space optical communication characterization", Proc. SPIE 5892, Free-Space Laser Communications V, 589202 (12 September 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.619205

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