Journal of Space Technology and Applications (우주기술과 응용)

The Korean Space Science Society (한국우주과학회)
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Technology Trends in CubeSat-Based Space Laser Communication

큐브위성 기반 우주 레이저 통신 기술 동향

  • Chanil Yeo (Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute) ;
  • Young Soon Heo (Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute) ;
  • Siwoong Park (Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute) ;
  • Hyoung Jun Park (Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute)
  • Received : 2024.04.26
  • Accepted : 2024.05.09
  • Published : 2024.05.31
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Abstract

CubeSats are being utilized in various fields such as Earth observation, space exploration, and verification of space science and technology due to their low cost, short development period, enhanced mission-oriented performance, and ability to perform various missions through constellation and formation flights. Recently, as the availability of CubeSats has increased and their application areas have expanded, the demand for high-speed transmission of large amounts of data obtained by CubeSats has increased unprecedentedly. Laser-based free space optical communication technology is capable of transmitting large amounts of data at high speeds compared to the existing radio communication methods, and provides various advantages such as use of unlicensed spectrum, low cost, low power, high security characteristics, and of use a small communication platform. For this reason, it is suitable as a high-performance communication technology to support CubeSat missions. In this paper, we will present the core components and characteristics of CubeSat-based space laser communication system, and recent research trends, as well as representative technology development results.

큐브위성은 저비용, 짧은 개발 기간, 임무 지향적 성능 고도화, 군집 및 편대 비행을 통한 다양한 임무 수행이 가능하여 지구관측, 우주탐사, 우주 과학기술 검증 등 다양한 분야에서 활용성이 높다. 최근 큐브위성의 활용성이 높아지고 응용 분야가 확대됨에 따라 대용량 데이터의 고속 전송에 대한 요구가 전례 없이 증가하고 있는 추세이다. 레이저 기반 자유공간 광통신 기술은 기존 전파통신 방식 대비 고속으로 대용량 데이터 전송이 가능하고, 비면허대역 스펙트럼 사용, 저비용, 저전력, 높은 보안 특성 및 소형 통신 플랫폼의 활용 가능성 등 다양한 장점이 있어 큐브위성 임무 지원을 위한 고성능 통신 수단으로 적합하다. 본 논문에서는 큐브위성 기반 우주 레이저 통신 핵심 구성요소 및 특징을 살펴보고, 최근 연구동향, 대표 기술개발 사례 그리고 실증 결과와 함께 향후 개발 계획 등에 대해 살펴보고자 한다.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구는 한국전자통신연구원 연구운영지원사업의 일환으로 수행되었습니다(24ZK1110, 호남권 지역산업 기반 ICT 융합기술 고도화 지원사업).

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