Effect of plane-mirror installation errors on pointing errors in periscope-type satellite optical communication terminals

Abstract

In a satellite optical communication system, the pointing error is an important factor that strongly influences the system performance. For periscope-type satellite optical communication terminals, installation errors of 45° plane mirrors in the coarse point apparatus (CPA) can lead to pointing errors. In this respect, we classify the installation errors of two 45° plane mirrors in the system and derive the corresponding “transfer” matrices to describe them. Furthermore, we establish mathematical models of the pointing error caused by installation errors of 45° plane mirrors. These models allow one to calculate and compensate the pointing errors in periscope-type satellite optical communication terminals. The results of our simulations show that the pointing errors vary with the elevation axis angle but do not depend on the azimuth axis angle. Compared to the side-angle error, the slope-angle error brings a larger pointing error. However, the mathematical model we developed allows one to compensate more than 99.9 % of the overall pointing error. The present work provides a theoretical basis for the design of periscope-type satellite optical communication terminals.