Proposal for optical TDM system for digital payload in next generation high throughput satellites

Abstract

The digital payload for next generation high throughput communication satellites is expected to reduce the operators' CAPEX and OPEX. Photonic technologies, which have a great affinity with digital signals, have been studied in order to increase the data throughput and reduce the mass of the satellites. Here, we propose an optical time division multiplexing system for routing the signals in the digital channelizer and have conducted a feasibility study on the transmission efficiency. This system has the potential to reduce the cost, mass, and power consumption, and to improve reliability by cleaning up the switches used for routing the signals within the satellites.