Design of an Optical Photon Counting Array Receiver System for Deep-Space Communications

TLDR

Deep‑space to Earth communication demands are rising, and optical free‑space laser systems promise data rates 10–1000× higher than radio‑frequency, with the Earth receiver being a critical component. The paper reviews the design of a distributed photon‑counting receiver array of four meter‑class telescopes for the Mars Laser Communications Demonstration project. The design comprises a distributed photon‑counting array of four meter‑class telescopes, and the paper discusses key challenges and details of the MLCD implementation. The array provides a cost‑effective, adaptable alternative to large single‑aperture receivers while maintaining the data‑rate gains of free‑space laser communications.

Abstract

Demand for increased capacity in deep-space to Earth communications systems continues to rise as sensor data rates climb and mission requirements expand. Optical free-space laser communications systems offer the potential for operating at data rates 10 to 1000 times that of current radio-frequency systems. A key element in an optical communications system is the Earth receiver. This paper reviews the design of a distributed photon-counting receiver array composed of four meter-class telescopes, developed as a part of the mars laser communications demonstration (MLCD) project. This design offers a cost-effective and adaptable alternative approach to traditional large, single-aperture receive elements while preserving the expected improvement in data rates enabled by free-space laser communications systems. Key challenges in developing distributed receivers and details of the MLCD design are discussed.