A satellite communication receiving system

Abstract

The present invention discloses a satellite communication receiving system. The optical receiving system with a hemispherical structure adopted by the present invention can receive light from any direction within the hemispherical direction, realizing electronic scanning and tracking communication. Moreover, the optical receiving system with the hemispherical structure does not require a motor structure, thus avoiding the impacts such as heat and vibration on the satellite platform caused by the ATP system, reducing the power consumption of the satellite platform. At the same time, through integrated integration, the weight of the satellite payload can be reduced, and the satellite communication efficiency can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of detectors, and particularly to a satellite communication receiving system. Background Art

[0002] In the field of satellite communication, free-space optical communication has become the mainstream means of space communication. Space optical communication has been gradually widely applied to various satellite platforms. Its main key technology is the beam acquisition, tracking, and pointing system (ATP). ATP is a key subsystem of the satellite optical communication system. The main function of the ATP system is to ensure the accurate pointing of two communication terminals. During the movement of the satellite, the ATP systems of the two terminals need to track and point at each other in real time to ensure that the optical axes of the two-way laser transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal of the other party are aligned. The ATP system is directly related to the reliability of satellite optical communication.

[0003] However, the ATP system is a complex opto-mechanical system. Since it requires at least a two-axis motor platform combination, the overall weight inevitably introduces weight and power consumption loads. At the same time, during the operation of the ATP system, its mechanical components are always in a dynamic adjustment process, so it generates effects such as heat dissipation and vibration that are not conducive to the operation of the satellite platform. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a satellite communication receiving system to solve the problem that the existing communication through the ATP system affects the operation of the satellite platform.

[0005] The present invention provides a satellite communication receiving system, which is characterized by comprising: a lens array and a detector array;

[0006] The lens array is used to receive signal light from any direction in the hemisphere direction and send the received signal light to the detector array;

[0007] The detector array is used to receive the signal light sent by the lens array, perform photoelectric conversion on the signal light, and send the converted electrical signal to a post-stage processing unit for processing.

[0008] Optionally, the detector array is distributed on the hemisphere, and the center of the hemisphere coincides with the center of the hemisphere where the lens array is located.

[0009] Optionally, the lens array is composed of a plurality of lens units arranged and combined in a spherical surface.

[0010] Optionally, the lens unit is a spherical convex lens, and the line connecting the center of the spherical convex lens and the center of the hemisphere of the lens array is the optical axis of the lens.

[0011] Optionally, the spherical convex lens is a hexagonal spherical lens, and the projection of the spherical convex lens in the optical axis direction is a regular hexagon;

[0012] All the hexagonal spherical lenses are arranged in a spherical shape, and the contact surfaces of any two adjacent hexagonal spherical lenses form a sealed structure.

[0013] Optionally, the material used for the lens unit has a carrier light transmittance greater than 0.7 for the communication system.

[0014] Optionally, the detector array is composed of a plurality of micro-detectors, and each of the micro-detectors is discretely distributed on a hemispherical surface.

[0015] Optionally, the micro-detector corresponds uniquely to the lens unit, and the symmetry center of the micro-detector is located on the optical axis of its corresponding lens unit, and the plane of the micro-detector is perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens unit.

[0016] Optionally, the post-processing unit further includes: a pre-amplifier, a pre-processor, a structural frame, and a processor;

[0017] The pre-amplifier is used to receive the electrical signal converted by the detector array and amplify the electrical signal;

[0018] The pre-processor is used to determine the channel position for outputting the electrical signal and perform real-time processing on the amplified electrical signal;

[0019] The processor is used to demodulate the electrical signal processed by the pre-processor and store the demodulated information.

[0020] Optionally, the processor further includes a demodulator and a memory;

[0021] The demodulator is used to demodulate the electrical signal processed by the pre-processor and send the demodulated information to the memory;

[0022] The memory is used to store the demodulated information.

[0023] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0024] The present invention adopts an optical receiving system with a hemispherical structure, which can receive light from any direction in the hemispherical direction, realize electronic scanning and tracking communication. And this hemispherical-structured optical receiving system does not require a motor structure, thus avoiding the impacts such as heat and vibration on the satellite platform generated by the ATP system, reducing the power consumption of the satellite platform. At the same time, through integrated integration, the weight of the satellite payload can be reduced, and the satellite communication efficiency can be improved. Description of the Drawings

[0025] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a satellite optical communication receiving device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 It is a schematic layout diagram of a hemispherical lens array of the satellite optical communication receiving device provided by an embodiment of the present invention in the spherical projection direction;

[0027] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the relative position relationship between a lens unit and a detector unit provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Explanation of reference numerals: 1 lens array, 2 detector array, 3 pre - amplifier, 4 pre - processor, 5 structural frame, 6 demodulator, 7 memory, 11 first lens unit, 12 second lens unit, 13 third lens unit, 21 first detector unit, 22 second detector unit, 23 third detector unit, a first signal light direction, b second signal light direction, c third signal light direction. Detailed implementation manners

[0029] In the embodiment of the present invention, by adopting an optical receiving system with a hemispherical structure, light from any direction in the hemispherical direction can be received, realizing electronic scanning and tracking communication. And this hemispherical - structured optical receiving system does not require a motor structure, thus avoiding the impacts such as heat and vibration on the satellite platform generated by the ATP system, reducing the power consumption of the satellite platform. At the same time, through integrated integration, the weight of the satellite payload can be reduced, and the satellite communication efficiency can be improved. The following further details the present invention in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and do not limit the present invention.

[0030] The embodiment of the present invention provides a satellite communication receiving system. Refer to Figure 1 , this device includes: a lens array and a detector array;

[0031] The lens array is used to receive signal light from any direction in the hemispherical direction and send the received signal light to the detector array;

[0032] The detector array is used to receive the signal light sent by the lens array, perform photoelectric conversion on the signal light, and send the converted electrical signal to a post - processing unit for processing.

[0033] It should be noted that the post - processing unit described in the embodiment of the present invention includes a pre - amplifier, a pre - processor, a structural frame, a demodulator, a memory, etc. That is, in the embodiment of the present invention, the post - processing unit is used to further process the signal converted by the detector array.

[0034] Generally speaking, in the embodiments of the present invention, a lens array is used to receive light from any direction in the hemispherical direction, realizing electronic scanning and tracking communication, thereby avoiding the impacts such as heat and vibration on the satellite platform caused by the ATP system, reducing the power consumption of the satellite platform. At the same time, the integration can reduce the weight of the satellite payload and improve the satellite communication efficiency.

[0035] Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present invention, the lens array is an optical imaging component in which lens units are arranged in a spherical surface, and is used to receive signal light from any direction in the hemispherical direction; the detector array is a detector component in which micro-detectors are combined in a spherical surface, and is used to receive and perform optoelectronic conversion on the signal light; the pre-amplifier is a component formed by integrating multiple amplification circuits, and is used to amplify the detection signal of the detector; the pre-processor is a micro-processing unit, and is used to determine the channel position of the output valid signal and process the output signal of the amplifier in real time; the structural member is a mechanical part made of metal, and is used to rigidly support the entire system and provide corresponding mechanical interfaces externally; the demodulator is a signal processor, and is used to demodulate and obtain the information in the signal and transmit the demodulated information to the main control memory; the memory is used to store the final processed information.

[0036] Specifically, in the embodiments of the present invention, the lens array is an optical imaging component in which lens units are arranged in a spherical surface, and is used to receive signal light from any direction in the hemispherical direction.

[0037] That is, in the embodiments of the present invention, the lens array is a lens group formed by combining lens units in a spherical surface. Each lens unit is a spherical convex lens. The connection line between the center of the convex lens and the center of the hemisphere is the optical axis of the lens. The projection of the convex lens in the optical axis direction is a regular hexagon.

[0038] Moreover, in the embodiments of the present invention, each unit lens of the lens array is a hexagonal spherical lens. All the hexagonal spherical lenses are arranged in a spherical surface. All the hexagonal spherical lenses are distributed within a hemispherical surface. Each hexagonal spherical lens has the same structure. The contact surface between any two adjacent hexagonal spherical lenses forms a sealed structure.

[0039] Furthermore, in specific implementation, in the embodiments of the present invention, the material used for the hexagonal spherical lens unit has a transmittance of the carrier light of the communication system greater than 0.7.

[0040] Specifically, in the embodiments of the present invention, the detector array is a detector component in which micro-detectors are combined in a spherical surface, and is used to receive and perform optoelectronic conversion on the signal light.

[0041] Specifically, in the embodiments of the present invention, the micro-detector unit is composed of a detection chip and its integrated circuit. The detection chip unit of the micro-detector unit has the characteristic of quantum amplification and can amplify the received weak optical signal. All the detector chip units are discretely distributed on a hemispherical surface, and the centers of the units are on the hemispherical surface. Each detector chip corresponds one-to-one to the hexagonal spherical lens of the above lens array. The symmetry center of the detector is located on the optical axis of the corresponding lens, and the detector plane is perpendicular to the optical axis. All the circuits of the micro-detector are integrated on a dedicated circuit board, and the circuit board outputs the detection signals of each detector chip in parallel;

[0042] In the embodiments of the present invention, the response wavelength of the detector chip is in the range of 380 nm to 2000 nm, and the quantum response efficiency to the radiation in the optical band used by the optical communication system is not less than 0.5;

[0043] Specifically, in the implementation, the pre-amplifier in the embodiments of the present invention is an amplifier component integrated by an amplified detector circuit, and is used to amplify the signal light output by the detector;

[0044] Specifically, the pre-processor includes a signal comparator, which can compare the signals output by the pre-amplifier, automatically screen the effective channels to read the signals by setting a threshold, and output single-channel or multi-channel signals;

[0045] Specifically, in the implementation, the post-processing unit of the embodiments of the present invention further includes a structural member, and the structural member is a mechanical member made of metal, which is used to rigidly support the entire system and provide corresponding mechanical interfaces externally;

[0046] Specifically, the demodulator is a signal processor, which is used to demodulate the information in the acquired signal and transmit the demodulated information to the main control memory;

[0047] Furthermore, the demodulator demodulates the signal according to a known decoding method, acquires the effective signal and transmits it to the memory, and stores the effective signal through the memory, and processes the transmitted communication information;

[0048] The satellite optical communication receiving system provided by the present invention can receive light from any direction in the hemispherical direction by using an optical receiving system with a hemispherical structure, and is applied to the optical communication receiving terminal of the satellite platform, and can realize electronic scanning and tracking communication.

[0049] Applying the present invention as the receiving-end optical system, as long as the receiving terminal of the receiving-end satellite is located within the transmitting signal light beam of the transmitting-end satellite for two satellites communicating with each other, real-time tracking communication can be achieved. The signal light will enter the corresponding detector through one or more lenses on the hemisphere of the receiving system and be received. When there is a relative position offset between the two satellites during movement, the transmitting-end satellite fine-tunes the direction of the signal light according to the ephemeris to ensure that the receiving-end satellite falls within the signal light beam of the transmitting-end satellite. Accordingly, the incident angle of the signal light incident on the receiving system is fine-tuned, and the receiving system with a hemispherical structure automatically identifies the incident direction of the signal light and reads the signal received by the corresponding detector, completing the acquisition and processing of the communication signal.

[0050] Adopting the present invention can replace the ATP system in the satellite communication system, enabling the system to track the signal source without a motor structure, thereby avoiding the impacts such as heat and vibration generated by the ATP system on the satellite platform, reducing the power consumption of the satellite platform. At the same time, through integrated integration, the weight of the satellite payload can be reduced, and the satellite communication efficiency can be improved.

[0051] The following will be combined with Figures 1 - 3 , and through a specific example, the system described in the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail:

[0052] As Figure 1 shown, the embodiments of the present invention provide a satellite optical communication receiving system, including a lens array 1, a detector array 2, a preamplifier 3, a pre-processor 4, a structural frame 5, a demodulator 6, and a memory 7. Among them, the lens array 1 is used to receive signal light from any direction in the hemisphere direction; the detector array 2 is a detector assembly formed by combining micro-detector units 21 in a spherical shape, and is used to receive the signal light and perform optoelectronic conversion; the preamplifier 3 is a component formed by integrating multiple amplification circuits, and is used to amplify the detection signal of the detector; the pre-processor 4 is a micro-processing unit, and is used to judge the channel position of the output effective signal and process the output signal of the amplifier in real time; the structural frame 5 is a mechanical part made of metal, and is used to rigidly support the entire system and provide corresponding mechanical interfaces externally; the demodulator 6 is a signal processor, and is used to demodulate the information in the signal and transmit the demodulated information to the main control memory 7; the memory 7 is used to process and store the final information;

[0053] Specifically, the lens array 1 is an optical imaging component arranged by multiple lens units in a spherical shape, and is used to receive signal light from any direction in the hemisphere direction; it is an optical imaging component arranged by N lens units in a spherical shape. As Figure 2 shown, the arrangement of the lens array 1 on the hemisphere is similar to the hexagonal array on the surface of a football;

[0054] The lens array is a lens group formed by combining lens units in a spherical surface. Each lens unit is a spherical convex lens. For example, Figure 3 as shown, the first lens unit 11, the second lens unit 12, and the third lens unit 13 are any three lens units on the spherical surface. The line connecting the center of the lens unit and the center of the hemisphere is the optical axis of the lens. The projection of the lens in the optical axis direction is a regular hexagon;

[0055] Each lens unit of the lens array 1 is a hexagonal spherical lens. All the hexagonal spherical lenses are closely arranged on the spherical surface. All the hexagonal spherical lenses are distributed within a hemisphere. Each hexagonal spherical lens has the same structure. The contact surface between any two adjacent hexagonal spherical lenses forms a sealed structure;

[0056] In this embodiment, the material used for the hexagonal spherical lens unit is a silicon-based material. The wavelength of the signal light is 1550 nm. The transmittance of the lens unit to the signal light is 0.97. The field of view angle of the lens unit is 15°. That is, the light incident within an angle of 7.5° with respect to the optical axis of the lens unit can be received by the corresponding detector unit.

[0057] Specifically, the detector array 2 is a detector assembly formed by arranging multiple detector units on a spherical surface, and is used for receiving and photoelectrically converting the signal light;

[0058] The micro-detector unit is composed of a detection chip and its integrated circuit. The detection chip of the detector unit has the characteristic of quantum amplification, and can amplify the received weak optical signal. The material of the detector chip is GaAs material, which has a high response efficiency to the 1550 nm band. All the circuits of the detector are integrated on a dedicated circuit board, and the detection signals of each detector chip are output in parallel;

[0059] The detector units are discretely distributed on a hemisphere. The centers of the detector units are on the hemispherical surface. The center of the hemisphere where the detector units are located coincides with the center of the hemisphere where the lens array is located. Each detector unit corresponds to the hexagonal spherical lens of the above lens array 1. The symmetry center of the detector is located on the optical axis of the corresponding lens, and the detector plane is perpendicular to the optical axis. The distance between the detector and the lens is approximately equal to the back focal length of the lens. The light incident on the lens can be received by the detector to the greatest extent.

[0060] Only the detector units facing the incident light in the detector array 2 will output effective signals. When a beam of light irradiates the above hemispherical lens array, only the lenses with an angle between the optical axis and the incident light less than 7.5° can effectively receive the optical signal. Therefore, only the corresponding detectors generate effective electrical signals. For example, Figure 3 in, if the beam direction is in the first signal light direction a, then only several detections around the detector unit as the center have responses;

[0061] Specifically, the preamplifier 3 is an amplifier component integrated by an amplification circuit, which is used to amplify the signal light output by the detector array 2;

[0062] The circuit of the preamplifier 3 is a DC amplification circuit. The number of amplification channels is equal to the number of detector units. The amplification factor of the preamplifier 3 is automatically adjustable. When the amplified signal is too large and exceeds the set threshold, the preamplifier 3 will automatically reduce the gain value. Conversely, when the signal is too small, it will automatically increase the gain value;

[0063] The amplification factor of the preamplifier 3 is applicable to all channels, that is, all channels are amplified simultaneously and the amplification factors are equal.

[0064] Specifically, the pre-processor 4 is a microprocessor, which is used to judge the channel position of the output effective signal and process the output signal of the amplifier in real time;

[0065] Further, the pre-processor 4 compares all the signals output by the above-mentioned preamplifier 3, automatically adjusts the threshold to screen the effective channels and reads the signals. For the light in the direction of the first signal light direction a as shown, among the electrical signals output by the preamplifier 3, the detector unit corresponding to the maximum value is the first detector unit 21, and the signal intensities of other adjacent second detector units 22, third detector units 23, etc. are slightly smaller. The pre-processor 4 automatically screens out the maximum value through the threshold adjustment from high to low and locks the position of the corresponding detector unit. Usually, when the threshold is adjusted downward to 1 / e of the maximum value, the adjustment stops, and all the channel signals passing through this threshold are output to the demodulator 6, and other signals smaller than the threshold are discarded; Figure 3 When the relative motion occurs between two satellites in communication, resulting in the deviation of the incident angle, such as

[0066] when the direction is adjusted from the first signal light direction a to the third signal light direction c, the channel corresponding to the maximum signal value detected by the pre-processor 4 will change, that is, from the first detection unit 21 to the third detection unit 23. At this time, the pre-processor 4 will re-adjust the threshold from the maximum value for a new round, and obtain the signals of several detector units centered on the third detection unit 23 according to the above process. According to the above mode, as long as the incident light is in the direction of the hemispherical lens, the detector array can track and detect the signal light in real time without the need to adjust the position of the receiving system itself in real time; Figure 3 The adjustment process from the first signal light direction a to the second signal light direction b is the same as the above description and will not be elaborated here.

[0067] The adjustment process from the first signal light direction a to the second signal light direction b is the same as the above description and will not be elaborated here.

[0068] Specifically, the junction frame 5 is a mechanical structural member made of metal, which is used to rigidly support the entire receiving system and provide corresponding mechanical interfaces externally. The interfaces can enable the receiving system to be easily docked with various satellite platforms;

[0069] Specifically, the demodulator 6 is a signal processor, which is used to demodulate the information in the acquired signal and transmit the demodulated information to the main control memory 7;

[0070] Further, the demodulator 6 demodulates the electrical signal according to a known decoding method, acquires the effective signal and transmits it to the main control memory 7;

[0071] Specifically, the memory 7 is used to store and process the final information. Usually, this memory is the on-board management memory of the satellite;

[0072] In summary, compared with the existing devices, the advantages of the satellite optical communication receiving system provided by the present invention are as follows: by applying the present invention, it is possible to capture the light from any direction in the hemispherical direction without a mechanical adjustment device, that is, to capture the target light without the support of a strict tracking and aiming system. Usually, the relative position change between two adjacent satellites is a small change. Therefore, only by axially setting the hemispherical optical system to the position of the satellite to be connected can normal reception be achieved. Similarly, the transmitting satellite only needs to adjust the azimuth of the transmitting beam according to the ephemeris of the satellite to be communicated. As long as the relative positions of the two satellite terminals communicating with each other can be roughly determined, and the hemispherical symmetry axis of the receiving system is set to point roughly to the transmitting satellite, real-time communication between the two satellites can be achieved. By adopting the present invention, the ATP system in the current satellite optical communication system can be replaced, thereby avoiding the impacts such as heat and vibration generated by the ATP system on the satellite platform. At the same time, the weight of the satellite payload can be reduced by integration, and the satellite communication efficiency can be increased.

[0073] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will realize that various modifications, additions and substitutions are also possible. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the above embodiments.

Claims

1. A satellite communication receiving system, characterized in that, Including: A lens array and a detector array; The lens array is configured to receive signal light from any direction within the hemispherical direction and send the received signal light to the detector array; The detector array is configured to receive the signal light sent by the lens array, perform photoelectric conversion on the signal light, and send the converted electrical signal to a post-stage processing unit for processing; The detector array is distributed on a hemisphere, and the center of the sphere of this hemisphere coincides with the center of the sphere of the hemisphere where the lens array is located; The lens array is composed of a plurality of lens units arranged and combined in a spherical shape; Only the detector units facing the incident light in the detector array output valid signals. When a beam of light irradiates the above-mentioned hemispherical lens array, only the lenses with the included angle between the optical axis and the incident light less than 7.5° can effectively receive the optical signal.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lens unit is a spherical convex lens, and the line connecting the center of the spherical convex lens and the center of the hemisphere of the lens array is the optical axis of the lens; 3. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The spherical convex lens is a hexagonal spherical lens, and the projection of the spherical convex lens in the optical axis direction is a regular hexagon; All the hexagonal spherical lenses are arranged in a spherical shape, and the contact surfaces of any two adjacent hexagonal spherical lenses form a sealed structure.

4. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The material used for the lens unit has a transmittance of the carrier light of the communication system greater than 0.

7.

5. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The detector array is composed of a plurality of micro-detectors, and each of the micro-detectors is discretely distributed on a hemispherical surface.

6. The system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The micro-detector corresponds uniquely to the lens unit, and the center of symmetry of the micro-detector is located on the optical axis of its corresponding lens unit, and the plane of the micro-detector is perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens unit.

7. The system according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The post-stage processing unit further includes: a pre-stage amplifier, a pre-stage processor, a structural frame, and a processor; The pre-stage amplifier is configured to receive the electrical signal converted by the detector array and amplify the electrical signal; The pre-stage processor is configured to determine the channel position of the output electrical signal and perform real-time processing on the amplified electrical signal; The processor is configured to demodulate the electrical signal processed by the pre-stage processor and store the demodulated information.

8. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The processor further includes a demodulator and a memory; The demodulator is configured to demodulate the electrical signal processed by the pre-stage processor and send the demodulated information to the memory; The memory is configured to store the demodulated information.

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