Laser Based Free Space Optical Communication System for Future Space Application

It is predicted that Deep Space Optical Networks will be vital for increasing base-band data rates for deep space missions. This paper investigates requirements and design concepts related to Atmospheric Modelling, Acquisition Tracking and Pointing (ATP), Deep Space Optical Ground Terminal, Transmission Link Budget and Transmission Model for a Novel Laser Based Free Space Optical Communication (LBFSOC) Scheme within the framework of ISRO’s Satellite’s Capabilities. In this paper a hypothetical Link Budget is proposed and authenticated by Link margin calculations considering downlink data rate at 622Mbps. Based on the proposed Link Budget, this paper illustrates the effect of transmitter aperture size, Data- Symbol Rate and transmission distance on the down-link bit error rate. The simulations indicate availability of BER dose to 1E- 5 achieved at average transmission power of 1.4W, transmitter aperture diameter of 0.15m and receiver aperture diameter of 0.40m.