IRCOMM: spacecraft free-space optical bus development

Author

Meitzler, Richard C. ; Schneider, Wolfger ; Conde, Richard

Author_Institution

Appl. Phys. Lab., Johns Hopkins Univ., Laurel, MD

fYear

2005

fDate

5-12 March 2005

Firstpage

1583

Lastpage

1588

Abstract

This paper summarizes the on-going work at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) towards implementation of a free-space optical bus for small spacecraft applications. After reviewing the current state of the art as well as previous work at JHU/APL, a comparison of several protocols, including USB, RS232, 10Mbit Ethernet (IEEE 802.3) is summarized, with Ethernet being the chosen protocol. Component selection is discussed in the context of radiation environments. Finally, a prototype point-to-point link that was assembled using COTS hardware and several different transmitting elements is described. It was found that the key technical challenge that remains is the receiver sensitivity. Plans for follow on work to complete the link are also summarized

Keywords

optical communication equipment; peripheral interfaces; satellite links; space vehicle electronics; COTS hardware; Ethernet; IEEE 802.3; IRCOMM; RS232; USB; point-to-point link; spacecraft free-space optical bus; Assembly; Ethernet networks; Laboratories; Optical receivers; Optical sensors; Physics; Protocols; Prototypes; Space vehicles; Universal Serial Bus;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Aerospace Conference, 2005 IEEE

Conference_Location

Big Sky, MT

Print_ISBN

0-7803-8870-4

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/AERO.2005.1559449

Filename

1559449