Adaptive optics correction into single mode fiber for a low Earth orbiting space to ground optical communication link using the OPALS downlink

Wright, Malcolm W.; Morris, Jeffery F.; Kovalik, J.; Andrews, K.; Abrahamson, Matthew J.; Biswas, Abhijit

doi:10.1364/oe.23.033705

Cited by 55 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Since it is well known that AO can improve the downlink performance [4], the experiments mainly focus on pre-correction AO. Since high throughput data communication over a turbulence channel is known to be feasible [8], data communication functionality is omitted for the presented experimental results.…”

Section: Test Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pre-correction adaptive optics performance for a 10 km laser link

Saathof

Breeje

Klop

et al. 2019

Free-Space Laser Communications XXXI

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For the next generation of very high throughput communication satellites, free-space optical (FSO) communication between ground stations and geostationary telecommunication satellites is likely to replace conventional RF links. To mitigate atmospheric turbulence, TNO and DLR propose Adaptive Optics (AO) to apply uplink pre-correction. In order to demonstrate the feasibility of AO pre-correction an FSO link has been tested over a 10 km range. This paper shows that AO pre-correction is most advantageous for low point ahead angles (PAAs), as expected. In addition, an optimum AO precorrection performance is found at 16 AO modes for the experimental conditions. For the specific test site, tip-tilt precorrection accounted for 4.5 dB improvement in the link budget. Higher order AO modes accounted for another 1.5 dB improvement in the link budget. From these results it is concluded that AO pre-correction can effectively improve highthroughput optical feeder links.

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Section: Test Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Adaptive Optics (AO) is a well-known technique originating from astronomy, which can effectively compensate atmospheric turbulence over a downlink [3,4]. Pre-correction AO has been proposed in various publications to mitigate the atmospheric turbulence in the uplink [2,5,6,7,8,9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pre-correction adaptive optics performance for a 10 km laser link

Saathof

Breeje

Klop

et al. 2019

Free-Space Laser Communications XXXI

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“…ONERA was in charge of turbulence characterization and adaptive optics, Airbus Defense of system analysis and Thales Alenia Space of communication aspects. 4…”

Section: The Demonstrator For Direct Optical Transmission At High Datmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although various AO systems dedicated to ground-to-space communications have been proposed or tested in lab 1,2,3 , until recently no demonstration of ground-based AO for optical downlink was reported. In 2015 NASA demonstrated optical link with International Space Station using the Optical PAyload for Lasercomm Science (OPALS) and AO for a 134 seconds connection, paving the way to AO for downlinks 4 . AO demonstration for coherent detection was also presented by Tesat in October 2015 5 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation on adaptive optics performance from propagation channel characterization with the small optical transponder

et al. 2016

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In order to address the high throughput requested for both downlink and uplink satellite to ground laser links, Adaptive Optics (AO) has become a key technology. While mature, application of this technology to satellite to ground telecommunication faces however difficulties such as higher bandwidth, optimal operation for a wide variety of atmospheric conditions (daytime and nighttime) with potentially low elevations that might severely affect wavefront sensing because of scintillation. To address these specificities an accurate understanding of the origin of the perturbations is required, as well as operational validation of AO on real laser links. We report here on a Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) microsatellite to ground downlink with AO correction. We discuss propagation channel characterization based on Shack-Hartmann WaveFront Sensor (WFS) measurements. Fine modelling of the propagation channel is proposed based on multi-Gaussian model of turbulence profile. This model is then used to estimate the AO performance and validate the experimental results. While AO performance is limited by the experimental setup , it proves to comply with expected performance and further interesting information on propagation channel is extracted. These results shall help dimensioning and operating AO systems for LEO to ground downlinks.

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“…12,13 Recently, optical communication was demonstrated over a free-space channel linking the International Space Station to a ground station implementing an AO system for the purpose of enhancing SMF-coupling efficiencies. 14 The analysis that follows is, to our knowledge, the first reported numerical analysis that considers and quantifies the benefit of an AO system to a free-space quantum channel where the ground terminal includes SMF-coupled quantum components. 15 This report considers a quantum channel downlink between an LEO satellite and a terrestrial ground station implementing an AO system.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling satellite-Earth quantum channel downlinks with adaptive-optics coupling to single-mode fibers

2017

Opt. Eng.

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The efficient coupling of photons from a free-space quantum channel into a single-mode optical fiber (SMF) has important implications for quantum network concepts involving SMF interfaces to quantum detectors, atomic systems, integrated photonics, and direct coupling to a fiber network. Propagation through atmospheric turbulence, however, leads to wavefront errors that degrade mode matching with SMFs. In a free-space quantum channel, this leads to photon losses in proportion to the severity of the aberration. This is particularly problematic for satellite-Earth quantum channels, where atmospheric turbulence can lead to significant wavefront errors. This report considers propagation from low-Earth orbit to a terrestrial ground station and evaluates the efficiency with which photons couple either through a circular field stop or into an SMF situated in the focal plane of the optical receiver. The effects of atmospheric turbulence on the quantum channel are calculated numerically and quantified through the quantum bit error rate and secure key generation rates in a decoy-state BB84 protocol. Numerical simulations include the statistical nature of Kolmogorov turbulence, sky radiance, and an adaptiveoptics system under closed-loop control.

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Adaptive optics correction into single mode fiber for a low Earth orbiting space to ground optical communication link using the OPALS downlink

Cited by 55 publications

References 7 publications

Pre-correction adaptive optics performance for a 10 km laser link

Pre-correction adaptive optics performance for a 10 km laser link

Investigation on adaptive optics performance from propagation channel characterization with the small optical transponder

Modeling satellite-Earth quantum channel downlinks with adaptive-optics coupling to single-mode fibers

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