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Optical Satellite Links

Foto: Enno Kapitza für DLR
Image: Enno Kapitza for DLR

The department Optical Satellite Links deals with the application of optical technologies in satellite communication and related topics.
These include:

  • Development of communication terminals for optical satellite downlinks to earth and optical inter-satellite links with very high data rates
  • Development of the required technologies for optical feeder links with terabit-per-second data throughput
  • Design of optical satellite networks as an extension of terrestrial optical fibre networks
  • Development, implementation and test operation of optical ground stations and ground station networks for communication applications
  • Studies and development of Photonic Integrated Circuits for miniaturisation of optical payloads for satellite applications
  • Development, implementation, qualification and demonstration of optical communication systems on satellites in space
  • Development of optical satellite terminals and ground stations for applications in quantum communication and quantum key distribution (QKD)
  • Development, construction and qualification of methods and devices for optical time and frequency transfer for application in "Kepler" and other future satellite navigation systems
  • Investigation of the atmospheric transmission channel through theoretical work as well as practical experiments as a basis for the development of suitable countermeasures and robust transmission methods, in particular development of systems of adaptive optics optimised for communication applications, quantum communication and satellite navigation.

The department is internationally networked with all this work, is involved in numerous international projects and, in particular, maintains close relationships with selected industrial companies. The transfer of the technologies and know-how developed to industry is one of DLR's key objectives and is consistently pursued.

 

Advanced Optical Technologies Group


After the rapid growth of the former Optical Free-Space Communications Group to more than 10 members, in 2011 part of the group was formed into the Advanced Optical Technologies Group (AOT), which deals with the scientific research of future application fields of optical free-space transmission in general.
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High-Throughput Optical Systems Group


The High-Throughput Optical Systems Group deals with research in the area of high-speed optical satellite links interfaces. This includes topics ranging from the study of the atmospheric turbulence and the techniques to counteract its effects to the development of high-speed communications technologies and systems. In the focus of the group lies experimental validation of the theoretical models.
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Optical Communication Terminals Group


The Optical Communication Terminals group deals with the development and implementation of systems for small satellites and other flight platforms in the field of free-space optical communication. The development covers the path from concepts through lab prototypes to qualified flight models for demonstration mission as well as the transfer to series production with an industrial partner.
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Optical Ground Stations


The research group is engaged in optical ground stations, covering the complete system chain from development, construction, implementation, validation and test operation. New technologies for ground stations in the field of optics, hardware and software for quantum communication systems, for example, are researched as well as the construction of ground station networks for classical and QKD systems. Another focus is the cooperation in standardisation for optical communication systems.
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Quantum Communication Systems Group


The research group deals with quantum communication systems from their initial conceptualisation to the implementation of large-scale satellite and aircraft experiments. Special sub-areas are the analytical and metrological channel characterisation, calculation of the link as well as the development of the ground interface and flight systems. Particular focus is placed on the problems of optics and photonics.
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Contact
Dr. Christian Fuchs
Head of Department

German Aerospace Center

Institute of Communications and Navigation
, Optical Satellite Links
Oberpfaffenhofen-Wessling

Tel.: +49 8153 28-1547

Fax: +49 8153 28-2844

Highlights of Research
OSIRIS - laser communication in space
QKD - with quantum technologies to the secure internet of the future
Kepler - third generation of satellite navigation systems
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