Comparison of microwave and light wave communication systems in space applications

Morio Toyoshima; Walter R. Leeb; Hiroo Kunimori; Tadashi Takano

doi:10.1117/12.625153

14 October 2005 Comparison of microwave and light wave communication systems in space applications

Morio Toyoshima, Walter R. Leeb, Hiroo Kunimori, Tadashi Takano

Proceedings Volume 5962, Optical Design and Engineering II; 59621U (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.625153
Event: Optical Systems Design 2005, 2005, Jena, Germany

Abstract

The performances of optical and radio frequency communication systems are compared for long distance applications, e.g. deep space communications, where the signal-to-noise ratio is crucial. We compare an optical communication system operating at 0.8 μm using intensity modulation and direct detection with an avalanche photodiode, an optical communication system operating at 1.5 μm using on-off keying and an optical preamplifier, and a radio frequency communication system operating in the X-band. Assuming typical system parameters for the link budget analysis, we find that for distances between the transmitting and receiving antennas (R) of 10⁶ km the signal-to-noise ratios for the optical systems are proportional to R^-4, and that for the radio frequency system is proportional to R^-2. For distances beyond 10⁷ km, the maximum data rate achievable with the radio frequency system is higher than that with the optical systems. For distances corresponding to low earth orbit links as well as for geostationary earth orbit links, an optical system with optical preamplification is preferable when the data rate is higher than several Gbit/s.

Citation Download Citation

Morio Toyoshima, Walter R. Leeb, Hiroo Kunimori, and Tadashi Takano "Comparison of microwave and light wave communication systems in space applications", Proc. SPIE 5962, Optical Design and Engineering II, 59621U (14 October 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.625153

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