Alternative Approach to Tilt-to-Length Coupling Estimation for Laser Ranging Interferometers in Future Gravity Missions
Tilt-to-length coupling, a non-constant systematic error source caused by satellite attitude variations, has been observed in the laser ranging signals of the GRACE Follow-On mission. This error can be corrected by certain calibration maneuvers performed regularly in orbit. In this paper, we introdu...
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MDPI AG
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Remote Sensing |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/16/5/862 |
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| author | Zhizhao Wang Shuju Yang Fuling Jia Kaihang Wu Fangjie Liao Huizong Duan Hsien-Chi Yeh |
| author_facet | Zhizhao Wang Shuju Yang Fuling Jia Kaihang Wu Fangjie Liao Huizong Duan Hsien-Chi Yeh |
| author_sort | Zhizhao Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Tilt-to-length coupling, a non-constant systematic error source caused by satellite attitude variations, has been observed in the laser ranging signals of the GRACE Follow-On mission. This error can be corrected by certain calibration maneuvers performed regularly in orbit. In this paper, we introduce an alternative approach to tilt-to-length coupling estimation for a laser ranging interferometer in future gravity missions, using the ranging signals without any specific calibration maneuvers, which allows daily estimation. An analytical model of laser ranging signals is derived. The tilt-to-length estimation is performed under different conditions using the least squares method as well as the simulated data. The pointing angle noise is found to be the most significant limiting factor. When the pointing angle noise is below <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mn>0.3</mn><mspace width="0.166667em"></mspace><mi mathvariant="sans-serif">μ</mi><msup><mrow><mi>rad</mi><mo>/</mo><mi>Hz</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>1</mn><mo>/</mo><mn>2</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>, the RMS of the estimation error is below 4 nm, much better than the tilt-to-length error of GRACE Follow-On. In the case of low pointing angle noise, the estimation error of an under 1.5 m offset between the center of mass and the interferometer reference point is not obviously different from the case with only a 0.5 mm offset, which provides installation flexibility for the laser ranging interferometer. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-25T00:20:41Z |
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| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-25T00:20:41Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
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| series | Remote Sensing |
| spelling | doaj.art-078d05fe45a74fc2bd530b53523b8c962024-03-12T16:54:15ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922024-02-0116586210.3390/rs16050862Alternative Approach to Tilt-to-Length Coupling Estimation for Laser Ranging Interferometers in Future Gravity MissionsZhizhao Wang0Shuju Yang1Fuling Jia2Kaihang Wu3Fangjie Liao4Huizong Duan5Hsien-Chi Yeh6MOE Key Laboratory of TianQin Mission, TianQin Research Center for Gravitational Physics & School of Physics and Astronomy, Frontiers Science Center for TianQin, Gravitational Wave Research Center of CNSA, Sun Yat-sen University (Zhuhai Campus), Zhuhai 519082, ChinaMOE Key Laboratory of TianQin Mission, TianQin Research Center for Gravitational Physics & School of Physics and Astronomy, Frontiers Science Center for TianQin, Gravitational Wave Research Center of CNSA, Sun Yat-sen University (Zhuhai Campus), Zhuhai 519082, ChinaMOE Key Laboratory of TianQin Mission, TianQin Research Center for Gravitational Physics & School of Physics and Astronomy, Frontiers Science Center for TianQin, Gravitational Wave Research Center of CNSA, Sun Yat-sen University (Zhuhai Campus), Zhuhai 519082, ChinaMOE Key Laboratory of TianQin Mission, TianQin Research Center for Gravitational Physics & School of Physics and Astronomy, Frontiers Science Center for TianQin, Gravitational Wave Research Center of CNSA, Sun Yat-sen University (Zhuhai Campus), Zhuhai 519082, ChinaMOE Key Laboratory of TianQin Mission, TianQin Research Center for Gravitational Physics & School of Physics and Astronomy, Frontiers Science Center for TianQin, Gravitational Wave Research Center of CNSA, Sun Yat-sen University (Zhuhai Campus), Zhuhai 519082, ChinaMOE Key Laboratory of TianQin Mission, TianQin Research Center for Gravitational Physics & School of Physics and Astronomy, Frontiers Science Center for TianQin, Gravitational Wave Research Center of CNSA, Sun Yat-sen University (Zhuhai Campus), Zhuhai 519082, ChinaMOE Key Laboratory of TianQin Mission, TianQin Research Center for Gravitational Physics & School of Physics and Astronomy, Frontiers Science Center for TianQin, Gravitational Wave Research Center of CNSA, Sun Yat-sen University (Zhuhai Campus), Zhuhai 519082, ChinaTilt-to-length coupling, a non-constant systematic error source caused by satellite attitude variations, has been observed in the laser ranging signals of the GRACE Follow-On mission. This error can be corrected by certain calibration maneuvers performed regularly in orbit. In this paper, we introduce an alternative approach to tilt-to-length coupling estimation for a laser ranging interferometer in future gravity missions, using the ranging signals without any specific calibration maneuvers, which allows daily estimation. An analytical model of laser ranging signals is derived. The tilt-to-length estimation is performed under different conditions using the least squares method as well as the simulated data. The pointing angle noise is found to be the most significant limiting factor. When the pointing angle noise is below <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mn>0.3</mn><mspace width="0.166667em"></mspace><mi mathvariant="sans-serif">μ</mi><msup><mrow><mi>rad</mi><mo>/</mo><mi>Hz</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>1</mn><mo>/</mo><mn>2</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>, the RMS of the estimation error is below 4 nm, much better than the tilt-to-length error of GRACE Follow-On. In the case of low pointing angle noise, the estimation error of an under 1.5 m offset between the center of mass and the interferometer reference point is not obviously different from the case with only a 0.5 mm offset, which provides installation flexibility for the laser ranging interferometer.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/16/5/862tilt-to-length couplinglaser ranging interferometersatellite gravimetry |
| spellingShingle | Zhizhao Wang Shuju Yang Fuling Jia Kaihang Wu Fangjie Liao Huizong Duan Hsien-Chi Yeh Alternative Approach to Tilt-to-Length Coupling Estimation for Laser Ranging Interferometers in Future Gravity Missions Remote Sensing tilt-to-length coupling laser ranging interferometer satellite gravimetry |
| title | Alternative Approach to Tilt-to-Length Coupling Estimation for Laser Ranging Interferometers in Future Gravity Missions |
| title_full | Alternative Approach to Tilt-to-Length Coupling Estimation for Laser Ranging Interferometers in Future Gravity Missions |
| title_fullStr | Alternative Approach to Tilt-to-Length Coupling Estimation for Laser Ranging Interferometers in Future Gravity Missions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Alternative Approach to Tilt-to-Length Coupling Estimation for Laser Ranging Interferometers in Future Gravity Missions |
| title_short | Alternative Approach to Tilt-to-Length Coupling Estimation for Laser Ranging Interferometers in Future Gravity Missions |
| title_sort | alternative approach to tilt to length coupling estimation for laser ranging interferometers in future gravity missions |
| topic | tilt-to-length coupling laser ranging interferometer satellite gravimetry |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/16/5/862 |
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