Adaptive optics for high data rate satellite to ground laser link

To match the increasing need for high data rate between high altitude platforms and ground free space optics links are investigated. Part of the growing interest is motivated by the possibility to reap the benefits of the technological maturity of the fibered components. This requires the injection of the received wave into a single mode fiber. To reduce injection losses on the ground terminal the use of adaptive optics (AO) is investigated. The AO system must work for a wide variety of turbulence conditions: by daytime and nighttime, at potentially very low elevations for LEO satellites, with localizations of optical ground stations that could be unfavorable regarding atmospheric turbulence. Contrary to astronomy where the quantity optimized is the average Strehl ratio, for free space communications statistical and temporal characteristics of the injection losses must be taken into account. The consequences of a partial correction are investigated here by numerical simulation for both GEO and LEO to ground links.

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