Optical Communications
High-throughput, secure satellite data services
SSC is enabling high-throughput, secure satellite data services based on space-to-ground laser communication. Two optical ground stations are being deployed at strategic sites in Australia and Chile for the initial service offering. The development is in the test phase and we welcome collaborations, test partners and pilot users to help us shape the service.
Optical technology
Laser communication is a cutting-edge technology that will bring significant improvements both regarding data rates but also as a more secure and license-free means of satellite communication. Optical ground stations use telescopes, not antennas.
Instead of radio waves (RF – Radio Frequency) for data transfers between satellites and ground stations optical technology uses light. A laser beam is much narrower and can handle much more data, due to the higher frequency of the signal.
Advantages with optical communications
1. Higher data rates – Enables multi-Gbps to Tbps transmission.
2. Compact systems – Smaller, lighter, and easier to deploy than RF antennas.
3. License-free spectrum usage – No spectrum licensing and regulatory bottlenecks
4 High security – Narrow laser beams resist interception and jamming.
5. Low interference – Minimal cross-talk with other systems.
6. Energy efficient – Lower power use per transmitted bit.
Building a global optical ground network
Our first two ground stations are situated at SSC’s existing RF sites with low cloud cover, excellent terrestrial fiber connectivity and possibility of combined RF and optical support. Each station is capable of data rates up to 10 Gbps and support both the CCSDS O3K and SDA OCT protocols, with the ability to accommodate future protocol upgrades.
An optical ground station network expansion is expected over the next years.
Hanna Sundberg
Optical Program Manager