Functional testing of the Laser Intersatellite Transmission Experiment (LITE) engineering model

William C. Goltsos; Don M. Boroson; Catherine Ellen DeVoe

doi:10.1117/12.184686

16 August 1994 Functional testing of the Laser Intersatellite Transmission Experiment (LITE) engineering model

William C. Goltsos, Don M. Boroson, Catherine Ellen DeVoe

Proceedings Volume 2123, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies VI; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.184686
Event: OE/LASE '94, 1994, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

Acquisition and tracking performance of a space-based optical communications system engineering model has been quantitatively measured using a dedicated optical test set. The test set includes a beacon with simulated angle jitter for tracking, a heterodyne optical receiver, and an accurate, calibrated line- of-sight monitor. The system has the capability of measuring each component of the pointing and tracking budget with angles down to approximately 1% of a diffraction-limited bandwidth. Acquisition and handover-to-tracking probabilities exceeding 99.9% are achieved at power levels 9-dB below expected on-orbit levels, and tracking rejection with jitter amplitudes comparable to expected spacecraft levels has been measured optically at -70 dB. Point- ahead angle repeatability over a POM 15 bandwidth range is found to be better than 0.01 beamwidths.

Citation Download Citation

William C. Goltsos, Don M. Boroson, and Catherine Ellen DeVoe "Functional testing of the Laser Intersatellite Transmission Experiment (LITE) engineering model", Proc. SPIE 2123, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies VI, (16 August 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.184686

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available