Ground-to-space optical communications experiment with LCRD using open-loop pointing

T. S. Rose; P. Steinvurzel; M. Kubiak; P. M. Belden; G. A. Sefler; N. De la Cruz; P. Ianov; J. M. Wicker; N. Wong

doi:10.1117/12.3005055

12 March 2024 Ground-to-space optical communications experiment with LCRD using open-loop pointing

T. S. Rose, P. Steinvurzel, M. Kubiak, P. M. Belden, G. A. Sefler, N. De la Cruz, P. Ianov, J. M. Wicker, N. Wong

Proceedings Volume 12877, Free-Space Laser Communications XXXVI; 128770B (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3005055
Event: SPIE LASE, 2024, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

A one-way ground-to-space optical uplink was conducted between an experimental Optical Ground Terminal (OGT) developed by The Aerospace Corporation and NASA’s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) terminal in geosynchronous orbit. The OGT transmitter was designed to meet the unique requirements of the LCRD receiver, which included the simultaneous emission of three wavelengths, one of which carried a burst mode DPSK waveform. A unique constraint of the experiment was to demonstrate the ability to perform a one-way uplink without using any optical return signals from the Optical Space Terminal (OST). This necessitated that the OGT point in an open loop manner with a more divergent beam than would be typically used in a closed-loop scenario. The OGT tracked LCRD using an ephemeris predict file during the link engagements. Pointing optimization prior to each link was accomplished using link status data that was downlinked via RF to the LCRD ground terminal in White Sands, New Mexico. During several engagement windows, the OGT was able to illuminate LCRD with sufficient detectable power typically within two minutes after initiating a search. Upon optimization of the OGT pointing, communication links were closed at LCRD specified data rates of 51.8, 155, and 311 Mbps using forward error correction and interleaving. End-to-end data transmission from the OGT to WSC via LCRD was demonstrated for periods ranging from seven to 30 min with transmission rates reaching 2.3 GB/min. End-to-end link performance (data sent vs. data received) was on the order of 98-99% for most of the links. Preliminary tests demonstrated end-to-end data transfer at 622 Mbps and the feasibility of link closure at 1244 Mbps.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

T. S. Rose, P. Steinvurzel, M. Kubiak, P. M. Belden, G. A. Sefler, N. De la Cruz, P. Ianov, J. M. Wicker, and N. Wong "Ground-to-space optical communications experiment with LCRD using open-loop pointing", Proc. SPIE 12877, Free-Space Laser Communications XXXVI, 128770B (12 March 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3005055

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