TY - JOUR
T1 - Modulating Retroreflector-based Satellite-to-Ground Optical Links
T2 - Joint Communications and Tracking
AU - Dabiri, Mohammad Taghi
AU - Hasna, Mazen
AU - Althunibat, Saud
AU - Qaraqe, Khalid
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 1972-2012 IEEE.
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - Given the growing significance of CubeSats for real-time Earth monitoring and space networking, there is an increasing demand for high-speed links for CubeSats facing constraints related to the weight, dimensions, and power consumption of telecommunication equipment. This article addresses such a need by designing a modulating retroreflector (MRR)-based optical downlink system tailored for fast-moving CubeSats, highlighting joint tracking and communication operations using a single transmitter for high data rates. Key contributions encompass precise system characterization, the design of a dual-transmitter system to maximize channel capacity, derivation of channel capacity as a function of 2M + 4 random variables, and the development of an MRR-based CubeSat downlink system. Subsequently, leveraging the obtained analysis and results, we design a system with a single transmitter, enabling simultaneous tracking and communication operations through optimal adjustments of beam timing and placement in the satellite's vicinity. Pertinent analyses demonstrate optimal laser beam adjustments to achieve maximum capacity while maintaining tracking accuracy. Monte Carlo simulations are used to validate a closed-form expression for efficient optimization of system parameters. Comprehensive simulations assess the effect of different parameters, offering crucial insights for optimal system design.
AB - Given the growing significance of CubeSats for real-time Earth monitoring and space networking, there is an increasing demand for high-speed links for CubeSats facing constraints related to the weight, dimensions, and power consumption of telecommunication equipment. This article addresses such a need by designing a modulating retroreflector (MRR)-based optical downlink system tailored for fast-moving CubeSats, highlighting joint tracking and communication operations using a single transmitter for high data rates. Key contributions encompass precise system characterization, the design of a dual-transmitter system to maximize channel capacity, derivation of channel capacity as a function of 2M + 4 random variables, and the development of an MRR-based CubeSat downlink system. Subsequently, leveraging the obtained analysis and results, we design a system with a single transmitter, enabling simultaneous tracking and communication operations through optimal adjustments of beam timing and placement in the satellite's vicinity. Pertinent analyses demonstrate optimal laser beam adjustments to achieve maximum capacity while maintaining tracking accuracy. Monte Carlo simulations are used to validate a closed-form expression for efficient optimization of system parameters. Comprehensive simulations assess the effect of different parameters, offering crucial insights for optimal system design.
KW - CubeSats
KW - LEO satellite
KW - modulating retroreflector array
KW - optical communications
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85204482332&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1109/TCOMM.2024.3462665
DO - 10.1109/TCOMM.2024.3462665
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85204482332
SN - 1558-0857
JO - IEEE Transactions on Communications
JF - IEEE Transactions on Communications
ER -