A system design for laser time synchronization via geodetic satellite Ajisai
Abstract
A laser time synchronization system based on a satellite laser ranging system developed in 1990 is described. The target satellite is the Japanese geodetic satellite Ajisai, which is equipped with corner cubes and mirrors. Feasibility of the experiment is studied including the time transfer equation, the observation system, the link budget, and distribution of reflected beam. Simulation study indicates that two stations thousands of km from each other can be linked by a laser beam with a signal strength of more than 10 photons. The images of the laser beam from the Ajisai mirrors are uniformly distributed on the ground and two stations have many chances to link in a single Ajisai pass.
- Publication:
-
ESA Special Publication
- Pub Date:
- June 1992
- Bibcode:
- 1992ESASP.340..181K
- Keywords:
-
- Data Links;
- Geodetic Satellites;
- Ground Stations;
- Laser Range Finders;
- Mirrors;
- Satellite Instruments;
- Synchronism;
- Systems Engineering;
- Time;
- Time Measurement;
- Atomic Clocks;
- Calibrating;
- Communication Networks;
- Feasibility;
- Japanese Spacecraft;
- Laser Beams;
- Photons;
- Spatial Distribution;
- Specifications;
- Lasers and Masers