Single Reflect-Mirror Laser Communication Tracking-Pointing System Load Technology for Micronanosatellite

In order to realize low-orbit microsatellite laser communication, L- and U-frame structures are designed, respectively, for the payload of single-lens reflex (SLR) laser communication tracking and pointing system. According to the characteristics of each load structure, the detailed system design is carried out, and the modal analysis is carried out on the key structural parts of the L- and U-frames to ensure the reliability of each load structure. The pointing accuracy of the two load structures is also calculated and analyzed. Finally, the conclusion is that both of the two load structures can meet the technical and accuracy requirements of low-orbit communication, but obviously, the U-frame structure has higher accuracy, greater pitching angle, and better reliability; eventually, the U-frame structure is adopted in this design. Then, we have completed the manufacture and assembly of the principle prototype and carried out a vibration test experiment on the principle prototype. The results show that the U-type loading structure SLR laser communication tracking and pointing system achieves the expected design purpose and can meet the technical requirements of the low-orbit microsatellite laser communication.

Spectral Analysis of (Multi-) Pulse-Position Modulation

Nowadays, laser communication has received great achievements owing to its advantages, e.g., large channel capacity, easy miniaturization of communication system and strong anti-interference ability in different conditions. Pulse position modulation (PPM), as an important modulation technology in laser communication system that transmit signal with lower power, is attracting much attention. However, the performance of the modulation scheme highly depends on the bandwidth of transmission. To remedy this defect of PPM, the multipulse position modulation (MPPM) scheme is proposed to increase the accuracy and bandwidth limit. This modulation scheme has stronger anti-interference ability than PPM. Therefore, there has been rising interest in studying the characteristics of the multi-PPM. In this article, we developed an appropriate mathematical model to represent a PPM transmission, analyzed the spectrum of the transmission and characterized the bandwidth of this transmission. Compared with benchmarks of MPPM scheme, its performance has been discussed. According to the analysis, MPPM strongly increases band-utilization efficiency, however PPM has a better bit error rate (BER) performance than MPPM.

Design of Orbit Controls for a Multiple CubeSat Mission Using Drift Rate Modulation

For the low-cost improvement of laser communication, which is critical for various applications such as surveillance systems, a study was conducted on relative distance control based on orbital drift rate modulations for multiple CubeSats during formation flying. The VISION mission covered in this paper comprises two CubeSats to demonstrate laser communication technology in space. During the mission, the deputy CubeSat changes the relative distance to execute mission objectives within various scenarios. Impulsive controls decrease, maintain, and increase the relative distance between the CubeSats by changing the orbital drift rates. The simulation results indicated that the desired orbital operation can be conducted within a given ΔV budget. In addition, the errors in the orbit determination, thrust maneuvers, and time synchronization were analyzed to satisfy the mission requirements. The mass-to-area ratio should be matched to adjust the relative distance between satellites with different properties by drift rate modulation. The proposed orbit control method appropriately operated the VISION mission by adjusting the drift rate modulation. The results of this study serve as a basis for the development of complex orbit control simulations and detailed designs that reflect the characteristics of the thrust module and operational aspects.