Design and performance of a satellite laser communications pointing system

The design and performance of the Laser Crosslink Subsystem (LCS) pointing control system are evaluated. The LCS provides duplex optical communications between two geosynchronous satellites at data rates of 1.28 Mb/s. The operation of the pointing system which supports communication by providing the logic and control to acquire and maintain the optical link is described. The functions of the digital processor, gimballed telescope, detectors, and track and point ahead beam steerers of the pointing system are examined. The digital simulation models of the pointing system components and the results of the analysis are studied; the simulation analysis provides the basis for the design of the LCS. The performance of the LCS was measured with an engineering model unit and compared to the simulation models. Good correlation between the measured performance and the simulation data is observed.