Advancing Free-space Optical Communication System Architecture: Performance Analysis of Varied Optical Communication Station Network Configurations

75^th International Astronautical Congress, Milan, Italy

B2. IAF SPACE COMMUNICATIONS AND NAVIGATION SYMPOSIUM

8-GTS.3. Space Communications and Navigation Global Technical Session

14^th October 2024

1

Meet the Team

2

Eugene

Rotherham

Isaac

Pike

Eva Fernández

Rodríguez

Karen Wendy

Vidaurre Torrez

Maren

Mashor

Connor

Casey

Free-space Optical Communication

• Performance
• Higher throughput
• Efficient transmission
• Security
• Narrow beamwidth
• Quantum encryption
• Electronic warfare
• Features
• Compact low-mass system
• Reduced power
• Cost-effectiveness

3

Space-to-space

Image: Starlink

Image: ESA

Space-to-ground Laser Communications

• Severe cloud and turbulence degradation
• Legacy ground stations are in the range of $M’s

4

Existing optical communication networks

Mobile Optical Ground Stations

• Cost-effectiveness
• Rapid and flexible deployment
• Operational scalability
• Advancements in data throughput, precision, and reliability
• Major commercialization and integration in existing networks

5

Image: Archangel Lightworks

Image: ICRAR

Optical Network Model Architecture

6

Data Integration

Optical Link Performance Model

Output

Data Processing

Input

Turbulence

Ground-segment

Space-segment

Cloud

Experimental Setup

Config. 1

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7

Tenerife

Large capacity OGS

LEO remote sensing satellite

Experimental Setup

Config. 2

8

Nemea

Trauen

Experimental Setup

Large-capacity fixed OGS

Low-capacity mobile OGS

Tenerife

LEO remote sensing satellite

Config. 3

9

Goonhilly

Madrid

Experimental Setup

Large-capacity fixed OGS

Low-capacity mobile OGS

Tenerife

Nemea

Trauen

LEO remote sensing satellite

Config. 4

10

Oberpfaffenhofen

Experimental Setup

Large-capacity fixed OGS

Low-capacity mobile OGS

Tenerife

Goonhilly

Madrid

Nemea

Trauen

The

Hague

LEO remote sensing satellite

OGS Availability Correlation

11

Data Throughput by Month

12

• Challenges

Normalized¹ Network Efficiency

13

• Challenges

1. Normalized to Config4

Network Availability by Month

14

• Challenges

Network Availability by Configuration

15

Throughput & Availability by Configuration

16

• Challenges

Caveats

• Resolution of Cloud Data (and single source, cloud threshold)
• Simplified Data Downlink Model (hardcoded turbulence loss, system temperature)
• Zero Switching Time Assumption
• OGS Selection Logic
• European Geographical Coverage
• Not Factoring Downtime/Maintenance time

17

Conclusions

• Small OGS networks have high potential
• Affordable, scalable networks – with some limitations
• Industry Recommendations:
• Leverage globally distributed OGS networks
• Improve transparency and collaboration

18

Future Work

• Incorporate Multiple Satellites and Bidirectional Links: expand the tool to simulate multiple satellite constellations, bidirectional communication, and data relay systems
• Mobile Terminals on Vehicles and Vessels: simulation of mobile OGS terminals on vehicles, vessels, or trains 
• OGS Location Optimization: OGS location optimization feature would allow users to simulate OGS placement anywhere on Earth. This would provide insights into how different geographical locations influence system performance and availability
• Enhanced Meteorological Data: incorporating more accurate meteorological models or deploying on-site sensors at OGS locations to increase higher temporal and spatial resolutions in weather and turbulence predictions

19

20

Acknowledgments: Simran Mardhini (Archangel Lightworks), Charilaos Kourogiorgas (Atheras Analytics),

James Osbourne (Durham University) and Gianluca Borgo (University of Southampton)

Eugene

Rotherham

Isaac

Pike

Eva Fernández

Rodríguez

Karen Wendy

Vidaurre Torrez

Maren

Mashor

Connor

Casey