combining laser communications and power beaming for use on planetary probes liz hyde san jose state...
TRANSCRIPT
COMBINING LASER COMMUNICATIONS AND POWER BEAMING FOR USE ON PLANETARY PROBESLiz Hyde
San Jose State University
Agenda• Introduction
• Current issues for Planetary Probes: Communications and Power• Solutions: Laser Communications and Power Beaming
• Improvements• Combine two units into one!
• Proving the Technology• CubeSat-based Technology Demonstration Mission
• Conclusions
Introduction: Current Issues
Communications
• Increased data package size requires improvements in data rate
• Alternative communication methods desired as to not congest RF bands
Power
• New developments in sensor technology increase the need of high-voltage power• Solar power is unreliable at
distances >1.5 AU
• Valuable data can be lost while probes are in eclipse
A Solution: Laser Communications• Laser Communications can increase data rate 100-1,000x
that of traditional RF radios.• Technology has been tested in space (LRO, LADEE
[2013])• Technology also being used on the ground for military
applications (Ship-to-Ship, UAV-to-Ground)
Laser Comms: How it Works
100101100101010
Digital Data Laser PhotovoltaicCells
Decoder
*Think of Morse Code, transmitted by laser!
A Solution: Laser Power Beaming• Wireless power transfer idea has been around since
1950’s• Technology also applies to Space-to-Ground and Ground-
to-Space applications• Space-to-Space demonstration in 2005 (JAXA/ESA)
Bonus Improvement: Integrate Comms and Power Systems• Laser Communications and Laser Power have one big
thing in common: the Laser!• A laser suited for Communications would also be suited
for Power Beaming• Using one laser for multiple purposes saves on mass and
volume.
How To Demonstrate the Technology?CubeSats!
• CubeSats have been used to for low-cost, fast-schedule technology demonstration missions
• Using heritage equipment focuses development on payloads
Demo Mission: The Satellites
Pitcher
• Payload contains the Laser that will transmit both data and electrical power
• Avionics based off of previously flown designs (TechEdSat)
• Data is pre-loaded packets consisting of sample images (high-res images, sensor data, etc)
Catcher
• Payload consists of a deployable “target” photovoltaic array• Included is the data and
power decoding unit
• Avionics based off of previously flown designs (TechEdSat)
• Data transmitted to the ground using traditional RF means
Conclusions• Both Laser Communications and Laser Power Beaming
provide benefits for space probes• An added benefit to these technologies is the ability to
have one unit preforming multiple tasks• Testing this technology with CubeSats may pave the way
to larger usage of the technology
Acknowledgements • Dr. Periklis Papadopolus
• San Jose State University
• James Grady• Global Enterprise Initiative Inc.
• Marcus Murbach• NASA Ames Research Center