Session
Technical Session VII: Communications
Abstract
The Miniature Optical Communication Transmitter is a NASA-sponsored compact, pulsed optical communication system for distant, power-constrained small satellites. A pulse-based scheme is driven by an FPGA-based Software-Defined Pulse Modulator. In addition to optical communication, the MOCT also has potential capabilities in precision clock synchronization and navigation beyond Earth orbit. This work is a continuation of results presented at the 2015 SmallSat conference.1 A novel combinatorial delay generation technic allow a 10-fold increase in timing resolution and a similar improvement for delay uncertainties compared to previously reported results. The Laser system prototype is now complete and can operate with some amplification.
Deep Space Laser Communication Transmitter and High Precision Timing System for Small Satellites
The Miniature Optical Communication Transmitter is a NASA-sponsored compact, pulsed optical communication system for distant, power-constrained small satellites. A pulse-based scheme is driven by an FPGA-based Software-Defined Pulse Modulator. In addition to optical communication, the MOCT also has potential capabilities in precision clock synchronization and navigation beyond Earth orbit. This work is a continuation of results presented at the 2015 SmallSat conference.1 A novel combinatorial delay generation technic allow a 10-fold increase in timing resolution and a similar improvement for delay uncertainties compared to previously reported results. The Laser system prototype is now complete and can operate with some amplification.
