Optical satellite communication space terminal technology at TNO

Saathof, Rudolf; Crowcombe, Will; Kuiper, Stefan; Valk, Nick van der; Pettazzi, Federico; Lange, Dorus de; Kerkhof, Peter; Riel, Martijn van; Man, Harry de; Truyens, Niel; Ferrario, Ivan

doi:10.1117/12.2535939

Cited by 15 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Direct detection is the more straightforward approach, where the intensity of the signal is modulated to transmit information. A common modulation scheme is OOK, where the signal alternates between on (a binary 1) and off (a binary 0) rapidly in order to transmit information [2,146]. In the direct detection scheme, the photodetector detects the transmitted light intensity while other elements of light such as polarization, phase, and frequency are often ignored.…”

Section: Detectorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mid-wave and long-wave infrared transmitters and detectors for optical satellite communications—a review

Flannigan

Yoell

2022

J. Opt.

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There has been a recent surge in interest for optical satellite communication utilizing lasers. It is clear to see why, as optical SatCom is capable of higher speed, lighter weight, higher directionality, and higher efficiency versus their radio-based counterparts. Research into optical SatCom has focused on devices operating in the short-wave infrared, which is due to the maturity and commercial availability of such component’s thanks to significant development in terrestrial telecommunications networks. However, short-wave infrared performs poorly in fog and heavy weather, prompting investigations into longer mid-wave and long-wave infrared bands for optical communication instead due to reduced atmospheric losses. This paper provides a comprehensive review of laser transmitters, detectors, and the science behind selecting longer wavelengths for optical SatCom to boost optical SatCom between ground stations and low earth orbit satellite constellations being deployed.

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Section: Detectorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mid-wave and long-wave infrared transmitters and detectors for optical satellite communications—a review

Flannigan

Yoell

2022

J. Opt.

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“…In Phase 2 the focus is on the high-level system design of the space and ground segment, with an emphasis on the space terminal, including several detailed analyses to confirm feasibility. Here we build on TNO's knowledge and expertise gained in different optical satellite communication projects 16,18 . A technology roadmap is compiled with key technologies required for GEOQKD.…”

Section: Icso 2020 International Conference On Space Opticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…LEOCAT optical head. The third optical module is based on an earlier developed LEOCAT optical head (as part of the development of an intersatellite link terminal 16 ). The LEOCAT optical head has a second telescope with a magnification of 1/8x to further reduce the beam size.…”

Section: Optical Design Space Segmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

GEOQKD: quantum key distribution from a geostationary satellite

Dirks

Ferrario

Pera

et al. 2021

International Conference on Space Optics — ICSO 2020

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Due to the distance limitation of quantum communication via ground-based fibre networks, space-based quantum key distribution (QKD) is a viable solution to extend such networks over continental and, ultimately, over global distances. Compared to Low Earth Orbits (LEO), QKD from a Geostationary Orbit (GEO) offers substantial advantages, such as large coverage, continuous link to ground stations (cloud cover limited), 24/7 operation (background limited), and no tracking required. As a downside, QKD from GEO comes with large link losses due to the space-ground distance, lowering the achievable key rates. From our feasibility and conceptual design study it is concluded that although link losses are high, QKD from GEO is technically feasible, and a favourable solution if the satellite needs to act as an untrusted node (that is, no security assumptions required for the space segment). However, the optimal solution, generating a higher value-for-money, is to have the possibility to operate it in trusted mode as well, as higher key rates can be obtained. But this will be at the cost of security as key material needs to be (temporarily) stored on board of the satellite. In order to arrive at a minimum required secure bit rate of ~1 bit/s in untrusted mode, two ~0.5m diameter telescopes in the space segment are required with <0.65μrad pointing accuracy each, a >1GHz entangled photon pair generation rate, in combination with ~2.5m diameter telescopes on ground, operating at 810nm wavelength. In trusted mode, with the same optical system but only using one telescope in the space segment, a factor of ~300 to ~10000 more key can be obtained. Details on our assumptions and results and drawings of the high level system design are presented, as well as a description of the required technology improvements and building blocks needed, which is applicable to non-GEO applications as well.

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“…In the field of free space optical communication, we work on bot space and ground optical terminals. We have several space terminal developments [9,10], including optical telescopes, coarse pointing assemblies, and fast steering mirrors [11,12] to limit pointing errors. For ground terminal developments, adaptive optics systems are being developed to improve the fiber coupling in downlinks and to pre-correct turbulence effects in uplinks [13,14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

QKD optical ground terminal developments

Klop

Saathof

Doelman

et al. 2021

International Conference on Space Optics — ICSO 2020

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Free space optical (FSO) satellite communications has very attractive properties for Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). The quantum channel loss and noise are major factors in setting the maximum achievable secure key rate of QKD systems. Primarily for a LEO satellite node and the BB84 protocol a number of technologies are proposed to reduce the quantum channel loss and noise. These technologies apply to the receiver side of the QKD link, the Optical Ground Terminal. It is shown that an optical beam shaper to optimize fiber mode matching, dedicated thermo-mechanical design to reduce misalignment induced by temperature gradients and an Adaptive Optics (AO) system to counteract optical turbulence effects can result in a significant reduction of loss and background noise. A breadboard verification experiment shows that using an medium-size AO system can maintain a fiber coupling efficiency up to 40%. The developed technologies have a general applicability with respect to satellite orbit and QKD protocol used.

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Optical satellite communication space terminal technology at TNO

Cited by 15 publications

References 10 publications

Mid-wave and long-wave infrared transmitters and detectors for optical satellite communications—a review

Mid-wave and long-wave infrared transmitters and detectors for optical satellite communications—a review

GEOQKD: quantum key distribution from a geostationary satellite

QKD optical ground terminal developments

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