Conference item
The C3PO project: A laser communication system concept for small satellites
- Abstract:
- The satellite market is shifting towards smaller (micro and nanosatellites), lowered mass and increased performance platforms. Nanosatellites and picosatellites have been used for a number of new, innovative and unique payloads and missions. This trend requires new concepts for a reduced size, a better performance/weight ratio and a reduction of onboard power consumption. In this context, disruptive technologies, such as laser-optical communication systems, are opening new possibilities. This paper presents the C3PO1 system, "advanced Concept for laser uplink/ downlink CommuniCation with sPace Objects", and the first results of the development of its key technologies. This project targets the design of a communications system that uses a ground-based laser to illuminate a satellite, and a Modulating Retro-Reflector (MRR) to return a beam of light modulated by data to the ground. This enables a downlink, without a laser source on the satellite. This architecture suits well to small satellite applications so as high data rates are potentially provided with very low board mass. C3PO project aims to achieve data rates of 1Gbit/s between LEO satellites and Earth with a communication payload mass of less than 1kilogram. In this paper, results of the initial experiments and demonstration of the key technologies will be shown.
- Publication status:
- Published
- Peer review status:
- Peer reviewed
Actions
Access Document
- Files:
-
-
(Preview, Version of record, pdf, 1.1MB, Terms of use)
-
- Publisher copy:
- 10.1117/12.2254046
Authors
- Publisher:
- Society of Photo Optical Instrumentation Engineers
- Host title:
- Free-Space Laser Communication and Atmospheric Propagation XXIX
- Journal:
- Free-Space Laser Communication and Atmospheric Propagation XXIX More from this journal
- Publication date:
- 2017-03-01
- Acceptance date:
- 2016-09-26
- DOI:
- ISSN:
-
1996-756X and 0277-786X
- ISBN:
- 9781510606333
- Keywords:
- Pubs id:
-
pubs:691154
- UUID:
-
uuid:6720de07-6e62-4f5a-9771-1eda2128bd14
- Local pid:
-
pubs:691154
- Source identifiers:
-
691154
- Deposit date:
-
2017-05-10
Terms of use
- Copyright holder:
- Society of Photo Optical Instrumentation Engineers
- Copyright date:
- 2017
- Notes:
- Copyright 2017 Society of Photo Optical Instrumentation Engineers. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic electronic or print reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper are prohibited.
If you are the owner of this record, you can report an update to it here: Report update to this record