Abstract
Adaptive optics pre-compensation of free-space optical communications uplink from ground to space is complicated by the "point ahead angle" due to spacecraft velocity and the finite speed of light, as well as anisoplanatism of the uplink beam and the wavefront beacon. This Letter explores how pre-compensation varies with the number of spatial modes applied and how it varies with a beacon at the point-ahead angle versus a downlink beacon. Using a w0 = 16cm Gaussian beam propagating through a modified Hufnagel-Valley model as an example, we find pre-compensation performance plateaus beyond ∼100 applied modes regardless of integrated turbulence strength, and that a point ahead beacon provides a 1-4 dB gain in median received power and an order-of-magnitude reduction in scintillation over a downlink beacon at wavelengths typical of optical communications. Modeling tailored to specific scenarios should be conducted to determine whether implementing a resource-intensive point ahead beacon is the optimum path to meeting link requirements.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callSimilar Papers
More From: Optics Letters
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
