High bandwidth optical links for micro-satellite support

摘要

A method, systems, apparatus and device enable high bandwidth satellite communications. An onboard tracking detector, installed in a low-earth orbit satellite, detects a position of an incoming optical beam received/transmitted from a first ground station of one or more ground stations. Tracker electronics determine orientation information of the incoming optical beam based on the position. Control electronics receive the orientation information from the tracker electronics, and control a waveguide drive electronics. The waveguide drive electronics control a voltage that is provided to an electro-optic waveguide beam steering device. The electro-optic waveguide beam steering device steers an outgoing optical beam to one of the one or more ground stations based on the voltage.

主权项

1. A high bandwidth satellite downlink communication system comprising:
an onboard tracking detector, installed in a satellite, that detects a position of an incoming optical beam from a first ground station of one or more ground stations; tracker electronics that determines orientation information of the incoming optical beam based on the position; control electronics that receive the orientation information from the tracker electronics, and control a waveguide drive electronics based on the orientation information; the waveguide drive electronics that controls a voltage provided to an electro-optic waveguide beam steering device; and the electro-optic waveguide beam steering device that steers an outgoing optical beam from the satellite to one of the one or more ground stations based on the voltage, wherein the electro-optic waveguide beam steering device steers the outgoing optical beam by applying the voltage to an electrode having an interface to a beam propagation direction, and wherein as voltage is applied, an index under the electrode is changed relative to a surrounding area and the outgoing optical beam is steered via Snell's law refraction.