Connectivity services based on optical ground-to-space links

Abstract

Repeater systems in a geostationary orbit utilizing free space optical communication offer great potential to backup, process and archive large amounts of data collected or generated at remote locations. In contrast to existing or upcoming global satellite communication systems, such optical GEO relays are able to provide a huge return-channel data throughput with channel rates in the gigabit-per-second range. One of the most critical aspects of such data uplinks are atmospheric disturbances above the optical ground terminals used to connect to the space segment. In this study we analyse the design drivers of optical ground stations for land-based applications. In particular, the effects of atmospheric attenuation and index of refraction turbulence are investigated. Moreover, we present implementation ideas of the necessary ground infrastructure and exemplify our results in a case study on the applicability of free space optical satellite communication to the radio astronomy community. Our survey underpins pre-existing ventures to foster optical relay services like the Space-Data-Highway operating via the European Data Relay System. With well-designed, self-sufficient and small-sized ground terminals new user groups could be attracted, by offering alternatives to the emerging LEO mega-constellations and GEO-satellite communication systems, which operate at low return channel data rates across-the-board.

Review on Free-Space Optical Communications for Delay and Disruption Tolerant Networks

“…GEO satellite relays for optical communications were shown to provide a big returnchannel data throughput, with rates in the Gbps range [17]. Implementation ideas for these systems were also presented, namely for the necessary ground infrastructure.…”

Space Optical Links for Communication Networks

“…The goal is to create a network that interconnects GEO satellites to LEO and aircrafts (or pseudo-satellites) optically and transfers the information from GEO with radiofrequency to the ground. In addition, there are studies to extend the use for data-repatriation from ground [61]. This last scenario is especially interesting for isolated areas, where no ground infrastructure is available or it is limited.…”

Atmospheric absorption and scattering impact on optical satellite‐ground links

“…Space‐ground free‐space optical (FSO) communication links—employing modulated laser beams—are currently developed to replace radio frequency (RF) 1,2 communication links in high‐bandwidth application areas that have a point‐to‐point link characteristic, as typical for Earth‐observation data repatriation or satellite communication constellations 3–8 . To date, various experimental downlinks have been performed by research agencies and industries 9–12 .…”