Status
Completed
Status date
2021-03-05
Activity Code
5E.010
Objectives
Design and testing of a low SWaP optical head for optical communication
Challenges
Design of a high performance optical head for low recurring cost of series production.
Benefits
- Low recurring cost
- Compact, highly integrated design (low SWaP)
- Low WFE design and manufacturing/assembly strategy
- Low pointing error due to high bandwidth fine steering mirror, point-ahead mirror and Tx/Rx calibration strategy.
Features
- 10 Gbit/s Intersatellite optical link (@4400km)
- Male-female configuration, assuming 4 terminals per satellite
- 70mm aperture
- Low volume
- Low mass: <3kg
- Low recurring cost
- Operational temperature range: -20 ˚C +40 ˚C
- Survival temperature range: -40 ˚C +60 ˚C
- Pointing error Tx/Rx: <3urad RMS
- WFE: 100nm RMS
System Architecture
- Full metal 4 mirror telescope design followed by 4 channels (transmit, receive, acquisition, tracking)
- InGaAs camera for acquisition and a quadrant detector for high speed tracking and control of the fine steering mirror.
- Calibration function by having a second light source from the transmit fibre that can be back-reflected using a retro reflector to the tracking channel in order to correct the Tx/Rx co-alignment
Plan
Project kick-off was at 2018-09-06, final review at 2020-12-15
Current status
Project is finished
Prime Contractor
