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Optical phase locked loop for transparent inter-satellite communications
Optics Express
|June 5, 2009
Summary
A novel optical phase locked loop (OPLL) enables efficient homodyne inter-satellite communication without residual carrier transmission. This OPLL achieves high receiver sensitivity, crucial for advanced optical communication systems.
Area of Science:
- Optical Engineering
- Telecommunications
- Satellite Communication
Background:
- Inter-satellite communication requires robust and sensitive optical receivers.
- Traditional optical phase locked loops (OPLLs) often necessitate residual carrier transmission for phase locking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel OPLL optimized for homodyne inter-satellite communication.
- To demonstrate a phase locking technique that does not require residual carrier transmission.
Main Methods:
- The OPLL utilizes a 180° 3 dB optical hybrid and an AC-coupled balanced front end.
- Phase error is extracted by introducing a small sinusoidal phase disturbance to the local oscillator (LO) and measuring its effect on the baseband output power.
- The system accommodates analog and digital data with constant envelope modulation formats.
Main Results:
- Achieved a receiver sensitivity of 36 photons/bit (-55.7 dBm) at a Bit Error Rate (BER) of 10⁻⁹.
- Demonstrated operation with a Pseudo-Random Binary Sequence (PRBS-31) at a data rate of 400 Mbit/s.
- The setup uses diode-pumped Nd:YAG lasers operating at a 1.06 μm wavelength.
Conclusions:
- The novel OPLL design is suitable for high-performance homodyne inter-satellite communication.
- The demonstrated phase error extraction method effectively enables phase locking without residual carriers.
- The achieved sensitivity represents a significant advancement for optical satellite links.
