Title :
The European Data Relay System, high speed laser based data links
Author :
Heine, Frank ; Muhlnikel, Gerd ; Zech, Herwig ; Philipp-May, Sabine ; Meyer, Roland
Author_Institution :
TE/LP, TESAT-Spacecom GmbH & Co. KG, Backnang, Germany
Abstract :
The European Data Relay System (EDRS) is currently implemented as the first operational laser based data relay service, creating a virtual ground station for low earth orbit earth observation missions. It is based on the Tesat Laser Communication Terminal (LCT), which was developed under contract from DLR for continuous communication service in LEO and GEO orbits. The paper details the structure, development and verification of the LCT, and describe the developments at Tesat for single photon heterodyne detection, that can be used as receiver for deep space communication links to enable communications even under severe background noise levels like near to sun communication links.
Keywords :
lasers; space communication links; telecommunication services; DLR; EDRS; European data relay system; GEO orbits; LCT; LEO orbits; Tesat laser communication terminal; background noise levels; continuous communication service; deep space communication links; high speed laser based data links; low earth orbit earth observation missions; near to sun communication links; operational laser based data relay service; single photon heterodyne detection; virtual ground station; Lasers; Low earth orbit satellites; Photonics; Receivers; Relays; Space vehicles; Sun; Coherent Detection; Inter Satellite Laser Communication;
Conference_Titel :
Advanced Satellite Multimedia Systems Conference and the 13th Signal Processing for Space Communications Workshop (ASMS/SPSC), 2014 7th
Conference_Location :
Livorno
DOI :
10.1109/ASMS-SPSC.2014.6934556
