Miniaturized optical communications modules for space applications

Abstract

We present recent progress in developing miniaturized optical transmitters and receiver amplifiers for space communications. Three C-band high-speed optical transmitter designs are presented: a bespoke 300 mW version as part of TNO's "SmallCat" terminal to fly on-board NordSat and two variants that provide 300 mW and 3 W of optical power complying to standard cubesat form factors. In addition to these transmitters, an ultra-small form factor, high gain, low noise amplifier, for boosting received signals is presented.

Development and Space-Qualification of a Miniaturized CubeSat’s 2-W EDFA for Space Laser Communications

“…This manuscript describes a miniaturized EDFA developed and qualified for space operation, with a form factor compatible with the CubeSat platform. The optical power to size ratio is the biggest in the scientific literature and the satellite market to the best of the authors' knowledge [10] [11], meaning that this is the world's smallest space-qualified high-power optical amplifier. NICT plans to test it in orbit as a key component of the Cu-beSOTA mission, currently in preparation [5].…”