Connectivity services based on optical ground-to-space links

• Published in: Acta astronautica 2018-07, Vol.148, p.369-375
• Main Authors: Knopp, Marcus T., Giggenbach, Dirk, Mata Calvo, Ramon, Fuchs, Christian, Saucke, Karen, Heine, Frank, Sellmaier, Florian, Huber, Felix
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Astronomy; Atmospheric attenuation; Atmospheric disturbances; Atmospheric turbulence; Case studies; Connectivity; Data analysis; EDRS; Free-space optical communication; Geosynchronous orbits; Ground data repatriation; Ground stations; High-rate free-space optical laser link; Optical ground-to-GEO link; Optical wireless; Radio astronomy; Relay systems; Satellite communications; Satellite constellations; Satellites; Terminals; Turbulence; Uplinking; User groups
• ISSN: 0094-5765; 1879-2030
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2018.04.049

Repeater systems in a geostationary orbit utilizing free-space optical-communication offer great potential to backup, process and archive large amounts of data collected or generated at remote locations. In contrast to existing or upcoming global satellite communication systems, such optical GEO relays are able to provide a huge return-channel data throughput with channel rates in the gigabit-per-second range. One of the most critical aspects of such data uplinks are atmospheric disturbances above the optical ground terminals used to connect to the space segment. In this study, we analyse the design drivers of optical ground stations for land-based applications. In particular, the effects of atmospheric attenuation and atmospheric turbulence are investigated. Moreover, we present implementation ideas of the necessary ground infrastructure and exemplify our results in a case study on the applicability of free-space optical satellite communication to the radio astronomy community. Our survey underpins pre-existing ventures to foster optical relay services like the Space-Data-Highway operating via the European Data Relay System. With well-designed, self-sufficient and small-sized ground terminals new user groups could be attracted, by offering alternatives to the emerging LEO mega-constellations and GEO-satellite communication systems, which operate at low return channel data rates across-the-board. •Optical Ground-to-Space Links are feasible with mature hardware components.•Uplink power requirements depend on the ground station's altitude and elevation.•Beneficiaries are in need for high-rate and highly covert return channels.•Self-sufficient Optical Ground Terminals could complement existing SATCOM systems.