Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) spaceflight instrument fiber optic system

Mark C. Flanegan

doi:10.1117/12.414116

2 February 2001 Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) spaceflight instrument fiber optic system

Mark C. Flanegan

Proceedings Volume 4216, Optical Devices for Fiber Communication II; (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.414116
Event: Information Technologies 2000, 2000, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

GLAS is a satellite laser altimeter designed to measure ice- sheet topography and cloud and atmospheric properties. The onboard laser is an Nd:YAG with doubler, emitting 1064 nm and 532 nm light. The reflected light from the Earth and atmosphere is collected by a telescope and analyzed to produce the altimetry results. Fiber optics are used to route timing and calibration signals within the instrument as well as to provide calibrated delays. The fiber optic system includes free space to fiber coupling optics, cables and connectors, diode laser and LED fiber pigtails and a 2 kilometer fiber optic delay line. Since these signals are received and processed as analog values, it is necessary to preserve the magnitude, timing and pulse shape as much as possible in the thermal, mechanical and radiation environment of space. This is in contrast to many onboard fiber optic systems which are used for digital communication and can accept wide variations in these parameters as long as the thresholds for accurate detection of a bit aren't exceeded. The requirements include a stability of up to 1% in signal magnitude and 20 ps timing stability in the timing signals and fiber optic delay line over the whole mission, including all environmental effects. Meeting these requirements with the spacecraft resources available has proven challenging. Fiber optic components have been chosen and tested to accomplish this as best as possible. The system design, components selected and testing performed will be discussed in this paper.

Citation Download Citation

Mark C. Flanegan "Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) spaceflight instrument fiber optic system", Proc. SPIE 4216, Optical Devices for Fiber Communication II, (2 February 2001); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.414116

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