Parameterized analysis of optical inter-satellite links for high resolution satellite communication

Abstract

The use of antenna arrays to exploit spatial information in single and multi-user RF communication receivers is well established for reducing interference and enabling frequency reuse. Antenna arrays have been deployed in single satellite applications but arrays have not been exploited in multi-satellite constellations where increased array size enables high spatial selectivity between ground transmitters. One requirement for these array systems is sufficient fidelity in transporting the received RF signals at each antenna to the array processor. Optical inter-satellite link architectures for signal transport are investigated and parameterized models to compare the performance of each are synthesized. Both analog and digital modulation schemes for the link are considered. A two-channel receiver with both low and high interference is analyzed. It is shown that high resolution satellite array receivers are practical with low required optical power. The optimum selection of transport architecture is shown by selecting for lowest error probability or minimum required optical power. A satellite-to-satellite distance threshold is found for selecting the optimum inter-satellite link architecture for a given application.