Design of a high-speed space modem for the lunar laser communications demonstration

Steven Constantine; Laura E. Elgin; Mark L. Stevens; Joseph A. Greco; Kenneth Aquino; Daniel D. Alves; Bryan S. Robinson

doi:10.1117/12.878927

21 February 2011 Design of a high-speed space modem for the lunar laser communications demonstration

Steven Constantine, Laura E. Elgin, Mark L. Stevens, Joseph A. Greco, Kenneth Aquino, Daniel D. Alves, Bryan S. Robinson

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 7923, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies XXIII; 792308 (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.878927
Event: SPIE LASE, 2011, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

The space terminal modem for the Lunar Laser Communications Demonstration (LLCD) provides duplex lasercom capabilities between the Earth and a satellite in lunar orbit with a 0.5-W optical transmitter delivering downlink data rates of 39-620 Mbps and an optically-preamplified direct detection receiver supporting uplink data rates of 10-19 Mbps. The modem consists of four subsystem modules: digital electronics, analog electronics, power conditioning, and electro-optics. This modular approach permits subsystems to be built and tested in parallel and provides design flexibility to address evolving requirements. Other important design considerations for the modem include the utilization of commercial-off- the-shelf (COTS) components to reduce delivery time, cost, minimization of size, weight, and power, and the ability to survive launch conditions and operate over a broad temperature range in lunar orbit.

Citation Download Citation

Steven Constantine, Laura E. Elgin, Mark L. Stevens, Joseph A. Greco, Kenneth Aquino, Daniel D. Alves, and Bryan S. Robinson "Design of a high-speed space modem for the lunar laser communications demonstration", Proc. SPIE 7923, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies XXIII, 792308 (21 February 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.878927

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