Optical array receiver for deep-space communications

Victor A. Vilnrotter; Chi-Wung Lau; Meera Srinivasan; R. Mukai; K. Andrews

doi:10.1117/12.529628

16 June 2004 Optical array receiver for deep-space communications

Victor A. Vilnrotter, Chi-Wung Lau, Meera Srinivasan, R. Mukai, K. Andrews

Proceedings Volume 5338, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies XVI; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.529628
Event: Lasers and Applications in Science and Engineering, 2004, San Jose, Ca, United States

Abstract

An optical array receiver concept is developed and analyzed. It is shown that for ground-based reception, the number of array elements can be increased without any performance degradation, as long as the array telescope diameters exceed the coherence-length of the atmosphere. Maximum likelihood detection of turbulence-degraded signal fields is developed for the case of pulse-position modulated (PPM) signals observed in the presence of background radiation. Performance of optical array receivers is compared to single-aperture receivers with diameters ranging from 4 to 8 meters, both in the presence of turbulence and in a turbulence-free environment such as space. It is shown that in the absence of atmospheric turbulence, single-aperture receivers outperform receiver arrays when significant background radiation is present. However, it is also shown that for ground-based reception of deep-space signals, the number of array elements can be as great as several thousand without incurring any performance degradation relative to a large single-aperture receiver.

Citation Download Citation

Victor A. Vilnrotter, Chi-Wung Lau, Meera Srinivasan, R. Mukai, and K. Andrews "Optical array receiver for deep-space communications", Proc. SPIE 5338, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies XVI, (16 June 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.529628

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