Publications Conference paper · Mega-constellations · 2024

A Case Study of an Hybrid RF and Optical Inter-Satellite Link Terminal to Enhance Optical Pointing

Elena Fernández-Niño, Juan A. Fraire, Sergi Figuerola, Adriano Camps, and Joan Adrià Ruiz-de-Azua

Joint European Conference on Networks and Communications and 6G Summit (EuCNC/6G Summit), pp. 640–645, 2024

Abstract

The attitude determination and control system of a satellite plays a crucial role, especially in optical communication systems due to the narrow field-of-view of the laser. In the last years, the space ecosystem has shown a large interest in optical technology due to its high speed, reduced size, weight, and power, and reliable communications link. However, its narrow field-of-view puts some challenges in terms of connectivity. For this reason, an optical terminal requires a pointing, acquisition, and tracking system to establish the link. This work proposes the use of a dual-plane communications system in which optics and low throughput radiofrequency technologies are combined in a single module. This hybrid system leverages on the quasi-omnidirectional ability of the radiofrequency antennas to enhance the optical pointing system. The improvement is evaluated by means of a simulator that includes the dynamic pointing between two spacecraft. Results demonstrate that the designed hybrid system can heavily reduce the pointing error.

Cite

DOI 10.1109/eucnc/6gsummit60053.2024.10597073

BibTeX

@inproceedings{DBLP:conf/eucnc/FernandezNinoFFCA24,
  author    = {Elena Fern{\'{a}}ndez{-}Ni{\~{n}}o and Juan A. Fraire and Sergi Figuerola and Adriano Camps and Joan Adri{\`{a}} Ruiz{-}de{-}Azua},
  title     = {A Case Study of an Hybrid {RF} and Optical Inter-Satellite Link Terminal to Enhance Optical Pointing},
  booktitle = {Joint European Conference on Networks and Communications and 6G Summit (EuCNC/6G Summit)},
  pages     = {640--645},
  publisher = {{IEEE}},
  year      = {2024},
  doi       = {10.1109/eucnc/6gsummit60053.2024.10597073}
}

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