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Astronomical Optics: Design, Manufacture, and Test of Space and Ground Systems

An acquisition technology of optical ground station in satellite-ground QKD

Daijun Zhong, Dong He, Yongmei Huang, Qiang Wang, Bo Qi, Wansheng Liu

Published Sep 5, 2017• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

In this paper, a method of acquisition between optical ground station and quantum communication satellite named Micius for establish optical links is proposed. The acquisition technological specification of the optical ground station system is analyzed. The acquisition strategy of optical ground station is designed. In order to point accurately to quantum satellite for optical ground station, system error modifying method is designed, using the telescope mount model to improve the absolute pointing precision. Finally the experiment result is proposed. Results show that the correction accuracy is better than 5μrad. The acquisition time is less than 5 seconds.

DOI
10.1117/12.2272920

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In this paper, a method of acquisition between optical ground station and quantum communication satellite named Micius for establish optical links is proposed. The acquisition technological specification of the optical ground station system is analyzed. The acquisition strategy of optical ground station is designed. In order to point accurately to quantum satellite for optical ground station, system error modifying method is designed, using the telescope mount model to improve the absolute pointing precision. Finally the experiment result is proposed. Results show that the correction accuracy is better than 5μrad. The acquisition time is less than 5 seconds.
To establish optical links between an optical ground station (OGS) and a quantum experiment satellite, a method of acquisition for the Micius satellite is proposed in this paper and the acquisition technological specification of the OGS system is analyzed. An acquisition strategy for the OGS is designed to meet the requirements of the quantum experiments. A method is designed to point accurately at the quantum satellite and improve the absolute pointing precision. The results show that the correction accuracy is better than 5 μrad, the acquisition time is less than 5 s, and the acquisition probability is 100% so far.
We report on the design and development of a quantum backend for an optical ground station for space-based quantum communication and science experiments. The quantum backend will enable the Optical Communication Telescope Laboratory (OCTL) to establish links with quantum satellites in the future. We aim to test this quantum enabled ground station with upcoming satellite Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) missions. We present measurements of the ground station properties that are relevant for future quantum links. Specifically, we discuss the polarization disturbance imposed by the optical communication telescope and present mitigation strategies in the form of polarization control systems. In addition to the optical design, we also present an end-to-end QKD model that is used to guide the development.
A satellite dedicated for quantum science experiments, has been developed and successfully launched from Jiuquan, China, on August 16, 2016. Two new optical ground stations (OGSs) were built to cooperate with the satellite to complete satellite-ground quantum experiments. OGS corrected its pointing direction by satellite trajectory error to coarse tracking system and uplink beacon sight, therefore fine tracking CCD and uplink beacon optical axis alignment accuracy was to ensure that beacon could cover the quantum satellite in all time when it passed the OGSs. Unfortunately, when we tested specifications of the OGSs, due to the coarse tracking optical system was commercial telescopes, the change of position of the target in the coarse CCD was up to 600μrad along with the change of elevation angle. In this paper, a method of reduce alignment error between beacon beam and fine tracking CCD is proposed. Firstly, OGS fitted the curve of target positions in coarse CCD along with the change of elevation angle. Secondly, OGS fitted the curve of hexapod secondary mirror positions along with the change of elevation angle. Thirdly, when tracking satellite, the fine tracking error unloaded on the real-time zero point position of coarse CCD which computed by the firstly calibration data. Simultaneously the positions of the hexapod secondary mirror were adjusted by the secondly calibration data. Finally the experiment result is proposed. Results show that the alignment error is less than 50μrad.
The establishment of a high-precision optical link is a necessary condition for satellite-to-ground quantum communication experiments. Compared with conventional laser communications, a quantum experimental satellite needs to solve special requirements such as the great difference between the energy of quantum light and beacon light, and the establishment of optical links between one satellite and two ground stations. Based on the scientific demands of satellite-to-ground quantum communication, this paper proposes an overall scheme for an optical link establishing system with a combination of satellite pointing and load autonomous searching. By using a multiple-axis pointing control method, the requirements of high-precision optical tracking are met. We use the stare-stare capture method to achieve fast capture between the satellite and the ground stations. The high-precision alignment of the satellite and ground quantum beams is realized by using a method of joint scanning and system correction. Finally, in-orbit test results of the Mo-tse quantum experimental satellite are given. The experimental data show that all parameters in the establishment of optical links meet or exceed the expected requirements.
To meet the requirement of high-accuracy pointing of quantum signals in satellite-to-ground quantum communication, this paper proposes a flexible satellite-based pointing method that changes the fine tracking point to solve the problem from point-ahead angle and ground beacon laser offset. This method does not require the use of a point-ahead mechanism and can detect the pointing angle in real time. Detailed algorithms and analysis are given. The method has been verified in orbit on the quantum science satellite Micius. The satellite-to-ground test results show that the quantum signal pointing accuracy is between 0.5∼1.0 µrad, which meets the efficiency requirements of satellite-to-ground quantum communication.
We present QuBUS, a mobile optical ground station designed for free-space optical communication (FSOC) and quantum key distribution (QKD). Built into a transportable lab container, QuBUS includes key subsystems such as an optical antenna with uplink lasers, a freeform telescope, acquisition and tracking hardware, relay optics, and an adaptive optics system for single-mode fiber coupling. The station is being prepared for an air-to-ground quantum communication experiment involving an aircraft-based transmitter. Initial 7-km horizontal link tests validate core functionalities, demonstrating QuBUS’s potential as a compact and deployable platform for future secure quantum communication networks.