Conceptual Study of Breakthrough Technology for Free-Space Laser Satellite Communication Between Micro Satellite and Geo-Satellite

In recent years, developing micro satellites (50-100 kg) by Universities, NITs, and IITs have emerged as a new trend in satellite technology because of its advantages such as short time and low cost for development, low cost for launching. The capability of RF communication between a micro satellite and a ground station is limited in terms of the time duration for communication and data latency. The micro satellite (LEO) can only communicate with the ground station at most 15 times per day and the duration of each communication window for visibility to ground station is only up to 10 minutes. The micro satellite cannot be transferred whole data to the ground station due to gap between each pass duration. These problems can be overcome by using a Geostationary Orbit (GEO) satellite as a “Relay Satellite by using laser communications instead of using radio frequency communication between a micro satellite which is much smaller in size and a Geostationary satellite which is large in size. RF communication is more dependable communication channels for satellite systems with existing technological limitations, atmospheric interference. To overcome the limitations and improving signal integrity and bandwidth, free-space satellite laser communication has potential to revolutionize networks, making them more robust against environmental factors. Satellite communication providers and research institutions focused on exploring and expanding the frontiers of free-space laser communication with new methods in laser communication, significantly enhancing the performance and reliability of their satellite communication systems. In proposed communication model, the micro satellite in Low Earth Orbit (about 600 km altitude) will use laser to communicate with the Geostationary Orbit satellite which is at the altitude of 36,000 km. By using laser as the carrier, the communication speed is improved considerably comparing to the radio frequency. An optical/laser inter-satellite communication technology to achieve inter-satellite data communications with a higher speed and larger capacity than the present. The main purpose of this research is to study the feasibility of using laser communications between LEO micro satellites and GEO satellites. A simulation model is built to analyze the performance of laser communications between LEO micro satellites and GEO satellites.