Shared Telescope Assembly for Satellite Optical Links
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing satellite communication systems require multiple high-precision telescope assemblies for inter-satellite links, which are costly, size-intensive, and mass-intensive, especially for satellite applications, due to the need for separate manufacturing and alignment of each communication terminal.
Innovation Solution
An optical system with a shared telescope assembly that defines a common optical train for multiple communication terminals, reducing the size and mass requirements while enabling independent control of each communication terminal to point in different directions, thereby facilitating inter-satellite links with reduced payload and manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple separate telescope assemblies are used for each communication terminal, then high precision alignment and independent control are achieved, but the overall size, mass, and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple communication terminals into a single integrated optical system where multiple aperture-specific fine pointing assemblies share a common telescope assembly. This merging reduces the total number of separate telescope assemblies from multiple individual units to one shared unit, thereby reducing system mass while maintaining independent control capabilities through individual actuators for each fine pointing assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared telescope assembly serves multiple communication terminals simultaneously, making it a multi-functional component. The telescope assembly is designed to handle aperture-specific optical signals from multiple different directions and direct them to corresponding coarse pointing assemblies, enabling one telescope to perform the function of multiple separate telescopes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate telescope assemblies are used for each communication terminal, then independent control and pointing capability are achieved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional modules: aperture-specific fine pointing assemblies, a shared telescope assembly, and aperture-specific coarse pointing assemblies. Each module has a specific function and can be independently controlled through its own actuators, maintaining adaptability while simplifying manufacturing through modular design and reduced integration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared telescope assembly acts as an intermediary between multiple aperture-specific fine pointing assemblies and multiple aperture-specific coarse pointing assemblies. It receives aperture-specific optical signals from different directions and directs them to the appropriate coarse pointing assemblies, enabling independent control of multiple terminals through a single shared component.
3Weight of stationary object
If a shared telescope assembly is used for multiple communication terminals, then size and mass are reduced, but the complexity of directing multiple aperture-specific signals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic control through actuators for each fine pointing assembly and coarse pointing assembly, allowing real-time adjustment of optical signal paths. This dynamic capability enables the shared telescope assembly to efficiently route multiple aperture-specific signals to different destinations without physical reconfiguration, managing routing complexity through active control.
Solution Approach 2:
The fine pointing assemblies and coarse pointing assemblies change orientation parameters (angles and directions) to direct optical signals appropriately. By varying these angular parameters dynamically, the system routes multiple aperture-specific signals through the shared telescope assembly to different coarse pointing assemblies without physical reconfiguration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The shared telescope assembly reduces the overall size and mass of the optical communication system, simplifies manufacturing and testing, and allows for efficient communication with multiple satellites, while maintaining high precision and alignment, thus enhancing satellite communication capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
at least a subset of the plurality of aperture-specific fine pointing assemblies comprise piezo actuated fiber collimators
Implementation Method 2
at least a subset of the plurality of aperture-specific fine pointing assemblies comprise a spatial light modulator (SLM)
Implementation Method 3
the subset of the plurality of coarse pointing assemblies comprise Risley prism pair optical deflectors
Implementation Method 4
the subset of the plurality of coarse pointing assemblies comprise at least one of acousto-optic deflectors
Implementation Method 5
the subset of the plurality of coarse pointing assemblies comprise at least one of acousto-optic deflectors or electro-optic deflectors
Implementation Method 6
the subset of the plurality of coarse pointing assemblies comprise reflective optical deflectors. In some embodiments, the reflective optical deflectors comprise at least one of gimbal mounted optical mirrors and coelostats
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An optical system includes a plurality of internal apertures, a plurality of external optical assemblies and a telescope assembly positioned between the plurality of internal apertures and the plurality of external optical assemblies. Each internal aperture is operable to receive a corresponding aperture-specific optical signal. Each external optical assembly corresponds to one of the internal apertures, and each external optical assembly is operable to direct the aperture-specific optical signal of the corresponding internal aperture in a corresponding external direction. The external direction for each external optical assembly is independently controllable and the telescope assembly defines a shared optical train arranged to direct the aperture-specific optical signals between each internal aperture and the corresponding external optical assembly.