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Updated: May 25, 2025

The Generation of Higher-order Laguerre-Gauss Optical Beams for High-precision Interferometry
Published on: August 12, 2013
Modeling and Simulation of Inter-Satellite Laser Communication for Space-Based Gravitational Wave Detection
Haoqian Liang1, Zhaoxiang Yi1, Hongling Ling1
1MOE Key Laboratory of TianQin Mission, TianQin Research Center for Gravitational Physics and School of Physics and Astronomy, Frontiers Science Center for TianQin, Gravitational Wave Research Center of CNSA, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China.
Abstract:
Space-based gravitational wave detection uses an equilateral triangular satellite constellation with inter-satellite laser heterodyne interferometry to measure displacement variations caused by gravitational waves. Inter-satellite laser communication is critical for data transmission, redundancy and clock synchronization, which suppresses clock noise and enhances detection sensitivity. This integrated approach ensures precise gravitational wave information extraction, supporting the high-accuracy requirements of space-based observatories. This study focuses on the modeling and simulation of inter-satellite laser communication for space-based gravitational wave detection. Based on the data-transmission requirements of such systems, the principles of inter-satellite laser communication are analyzed. The research includes the selection of pseudo-random noise (PRN) codes, the signal scheme design and the development of the mathematical models for signal transmission. A simulation model is subsequently constructed in Simulink to evaluate the system. The simulation results confirm the accuracy of the model's functionalities, including spreading, phase modulation, noise addition, phase demodulation and despreading. Additionally, the model achieves a data-transmission rate of 62.5 kbps with a bit error rate (BER) better than 10-6 when the modulation index exceeds 3.4×10-3, meeting the requirements for inter-satellite laser communication in space-based gravitational wave detection.
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