Infrared Earth tracking for deep-space optical communications: feasibility study based on laboratory emulator

Yijiang Chen; Jeffrey Charles; Hamid Hemmati; Abhijit Biswas

doi:10.1117/12.711541

13 February 2007 Infrared Earth tracking for deep-space optical communications: feasibility study based on laboratory emulator

Yijiang Chen, Jeffrey Charles, Hamid Hemmati, Abhijit Biswas

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6457, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies XIX and Atmospheric Propagation of Electromagnetic Waves; 64570A (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.711541
Event: Lasers and Applications in Science and Engineering, 2007, San Jose, California, United States

Abstract

We report on laboratory emulator experiments performed to assess the feasibility of infrared (IR) Earth image tracking for optical communications. A quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) is evaluated and characterized for this purpose. For proof of concept, an emulator is designed and implemented in the laboratory to generate IR Earth images over the range of 0.1 to 40 AU at the Focal Plane Array of the QWIP camera to evaluate feasibility of using IR Earth images as opticomm pointing reference. IR Earth images measured from the testbed emulator are compared with the corresponding images derived from Earth thermal modeling and the two are found to be in good agreement. IR Earth image non-uniformity is also emulated in the laboratory testbed, demonstrating that for characteristic deep space optical apertures, the image is dominated by the Earth thermal non-uniformity at short distance (<2 AU) but is overwhelmed by diffraction blurring beyond 4 AU. Furthermore, preliminary laboratory testbed investigation on centroiding accuracy of IR Earth center detection shows improved angular centroiding accuracy with increasing image size and IR signal level.

Citation Download Citation

Yijiang Chen, Jeffrey Charles, Hamid Hemmati, and Abhijit Biswas "Infrared Earth tracking for deep-space optical communications: feasibility study based on laboratory emulator", Proc. SPIE 6457, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies XIX and Atmospheric Propagation of Electromagnetic Waves, 64570A (13 February 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.711541

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