Optical Fiber Amplifiers for Satellite Communications

Optical fiber amplifiers are crucial components for medium to long range space-based optical telecommunications networks. Current systems leverage technologies from the mature terrestrial optical fiber communications industry to enable rapid development and deployment of optical links and networks. However, link dynamics, performance metrics, and environmental conditions deviate significantly from terrestrial fiber telecommunications conditions and can vary depending on the orbit. This work reviews some of the major differences between optical fiber telecommunications and satellite free-space optical communications in the context of amplifier design and presents several examples of optical amplifiers developed to support space-based networks in both on-orbit and ground station applications. We discuss differences in the waveforms, link dynamics, and environmental conditions relevant to different space-based implementations. We also describe differences between multiple amplifier types, such as ground-based booster amplifiers and low noise optical receivers as well as amplifiers designed for various space orbital altitudes. Results and demonstrations show tremendous scalability and tailorability, exemplified in amplifiers from both CubeSat compatible compact and low-power models to larger long-range amplifiers with electrical to optical efficiencies up to 20% in the 1550 nm band.