Optimal GEO Lasercomm Terminal Field of View for LEO Link Support

摘要

As alternatives to the traditional gimbaled terminal design, future satellite based laser communications terminals are envisioned that utilize a wide field or view or field or regard (WFOV/WFOR). This approach can be advantageous in situations requiring rapid switching between user terminals, support for multiple terminals simultaneously (via TDMA, SDMA or WDMA) or other non-standard mission requirements. However, a traditional gimbaled terminal has the capability to continuously track a single user over very large angles, such as the 18-20 degrees spanned by a LEO satellite as seen from GEO. WFOV/WFOK designs race increasing cost and/or complexity issues with each incremental increase in angular coverage. The methodology and inputs for a trade study are presented here that attempts to maximize the available connectivity to a LEO satellite while minimizing cost and complexity metrics by choosing an optimal FOV/FOR size for a GEO terminal.