Optical space communications

Author

Chan, Vincent W. S.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Aeronaut. & Astronaut., MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA

Volume

6

Issue

6

fYear

2000

Firstpage

959

Lastpage

975

Abstract

Optical space communications is on the verge of becoming a reality. It will be a key building block for wide-area space data networks of the future. We discuss the critical technology and architecture issues to be addressed for the realization of these systems, and present examples of high level designs. Design methodologies treating these as complex engineering systems, and the technique to breakdown the systems into interacting but logically separate subsystems for design and analysis, are suggested. Fundamental limits of performance and avenues for promising future research and development are given.

Keywords

optical communication; optical links; satellite links; analysis; architecture issues; breakdown; building block; complex engineering systems; critical technology; design; design methodologies; fundamental limits; future research and development; high level designs; interacting subsystems; logically separate subsystems; optical space communications; performance; realization; wide-area space data networks; Apertures; Artificial satellites; Low earth orbit satellites; Optical fiber networks; Optical sensors; Optical transmitters; Radio frequency; Relays; Satellite broadcasting; Space technology;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1077-260X

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/2944.902144

Filename

902144