Journal of Space Technology and Applications (우주기술과 응용)

The Korean Space Science Society (한국우주과학회)
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Experiments of Free-Space Optical Communication for Optical Ground Station

광통신 지상국 구축을 위한 자유공간 광통신 실험

  • Received : 2024.01.04
  • Accepted : 2024.02.11
  • Published : 2024.02.28
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Abstract

As the limitations of conventional radio communications between satellites and the ground become apparent, various experiments are being conducted around the world to overcome them with space laser communication. In this study, we address the development of our own optical communications terminal (OCT) and optical ground station (OGS) and the experiments of free-space optical communication (FSOC) using them. Using a 30 mm-diameter OCT and a 250 mm-diameter portable OGS telescope, as well as commercial 10 Gbps SFP+ modules and media converters, we successfully transmitted and received 4K high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) signals through 1,550 nm optical laser beam. The transmission and reception distances of the experiment were 3, 9, and 20 km, respectively, and the received signal strength at each distance was +6.1, -2.8, and -10.9 dBm, respectively. It was demonstrated that the 4K HDMI video lasted for over 10 minutes.

기존의 위성-지상 간 정보 전달에 사용하던 전파 통신의 한계가 가시화됨에 따라, 이를 광학 레이저 통신으로 극복하고자 전세계에서 다양한 실험이 이루어지고 있다. 본 논문에서는 인공위성에서 레이저 송출을 담당하는 광통신 터미널(optical communications terminal, OCT)과 지상에서 정보를 수신하는 광통신 지상국(optical ground station, OGS)을 자체 개발하고, 이를 이용한 자유공간 광통신(free-space optical communication, FSOC) 실험을 수행하였다. 30 mm 구경의 광통신 터미널과 250 mm 구경의 이동형 광통신 지상국 망원경, 상용 10 Gbps SFP+ 모듈과 미디어 컨버터를 이용하여, 4K HDMI(high-definition multimedia interface) 신호를 1,550 nm 파장의 레이저에 담아 송출하고 수신하는데 성공했다. 실험의 송수신거리는 각각 3, 9, 20 km이며, 각각의 거리에서 신호의 수신 세기는 +6.1, -2.8, -10.9 dBm이다. 4K HDMI 영상은 끊김 없이 10분 이상 지속됨을 확인하였다.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

이 논문에 대한 실험의 결과를 얻을 수 있게 지원해주신 (주)메타스페이스, 한국천문연구원의 보현산천문대 관계자분들께 감사드립니다.

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