Functional demonstration of accelerometer-assisted beacon tracking

Gerry G. Ortiz; Angel Portillo; Shinhak Lee; Juan M. Ceniceros

doi:10.1117/12.430795

20 June 2001 Functional demonstration of accelerometer-assisted beacon tracking

Gerry G. Ortiz, Angel Portillo, Shinhak Lee, Juan M. Ceniceros

Proceedings Volume 4272, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies XIII; (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.430795
Event: Photonics West 2001 - LASE, 2001, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

NASA/JPL has been developing technologies to accurately point a laser beam from deep space with sub-micro-radian precision for data transmission systems. A novel approach to achieve this goal is based on using high bandwidth inertial sensors to compensate for jitter caused by spacecraft vibrations. The use of high bandwidth inertial sensors promises to enable the implementation of laser communication links anywhere within the solar system and beyond. A functional demonstration of closed-loop accelerometer- assisted beacon tracking under simulated spacecraft vibration was undertaken, in order to validate innovative concepts, technologies, sub-systems and algorithms that achieve the sub-micro-radian pointing accuracy necessary for optical communication systems from deep space. The laboratory demonstration included integration of the complete acquisition, tracking, and pointing system with inertial sensors (e.g. accelerometers). Double integration, bias and initial velocity estimation algorithms were developed, verified and implemented. Accelerometer performance was characterized and integrated to the system. A laser beacon was mounted on a platform that simulates spacecraft vibrations. Vibrations were introduced into the beacon and were simultaneously sampled by the accelerometer. These signals were used to close the pointing loop. Closed loop tracking of the vibrating beacon was achieved using the accelerometer information interlaced with a slow-rate reference update (laser beacon centroids). This presentation will describe the details of the functional demonstration of accelerometer-assisted beacon tracking and pointing in a laboratory environment under simulated spacecraft vibration.

Citation Download Citation

Gerry G. Ortiz, Angel Portillo, Shinhak Lee, and Juan M. Ceniceros "Functional demonstration of accelerometer-assisted beacon tracking", Proc. SPIE 4272, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies XIII, (20 June 2001); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.430795

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