A Review of Mechanical Fine-Pointing Actuators for Free-Space Optical Communication
This paper presents a state-of-the-art overview of fine beam steering mechanisms for free-space optical communication on satellites. Precise beam pointing is a critical task for the successful operation of free-space optical communication systems. Based on past research and ongoing projects, the use...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Aerospace |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/11/1/5 |
| _version_ | 1797344876804702208 |
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| author | Martynas Milaševičius Laurynas Mačiulis |
| author_facet | Martynas Milaševičius Laurynas Mačiulis |
| author_sort | Martynas Milaševičius |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper presents a state-of-the-art overview of fine beam steering mechanisms for free-space optical communication on satellites. Precise beam pointing is a critical task for the successful operation of free-space optical communication systems. Based on past research and ongoing projects, the use of fast steering mirrors (FSMs) is still the most popular solution for free-space optical communication applications. Although a variety of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) FSM solutions exist, there is limited publicly available data on these solutions in the space environment. Three main actuation principles are considered (electro-static force actuated, magnetic force actuated, piezo-effect actuated) and reviewed using available data from past space missions. The article describes the most important criteria in the choice of a fine beam steering solution for free-space optical communication in space. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T11:09:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4afa7b3c9d424b49b2a68ba55fd740d7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2226-4310 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T11:09:15Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Aerospace |
| spelling | doaj.art-4afa7b3c9d424b49b2a68ba55fd740d72024-01-26T14:11:28ZengMDPI AGAerospace2226-43102023-12-01111510.3390/aerospace11010005A Review of Mechanical Fine-Pointing Actuators for Free-Space Optical CommunicationMartynas Milaševičius0Laurynas Mačiulis1Antanas Gustaitis Institute of Aviation, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, 08217 Vilnius, LithuaniaAntanas Gustaitis Institute of Aviation, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, 08217 Vilnius, LithuaniaThis paper presents a state-of-the-art overview of fine beam steering mechanisms for free-space optical communication on satellites. Precise beam pointing is a critical task for the successful operation of free-space optical communication systems. Based on past research and ongoing projects, the use of fast steering mirrors (FSMs) is still the most popular solution for free-space optical communication applications. Although a variety of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) FSM solutions exist, there is limited publicly available data on these solutions in the space environment. Three main actuation principles are considered (electro-static force actuated, magnetic force actuated, piezo-effect actuated) and reviewed using available data from past space missions. The article describes the most important criteria in the choice of a fine beam steering solution for free-space optical communication in space.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/11/1/5free-space communicationoptical communicationfine steeringfast steering mirrorfine pointingCubeSat |
| spellingShingle | Martynas Milaševičius Laurynas Mačiulis A Review of Mechanical Fine-Pointing Actuators for Free-Space Optical Communication Aerospace free-space communication optical communication fine steering fast steering mirror fine pointing CubeSat |
| title | A Review of Mechanical Fine-Pointing Actuators for Free-Space Optical Communication |
| title_full | A Review of Mechanical Fine-Pointing Actuators for Free-Space Optical Communication |
| title_fullStr | A Review of Mechanical Fine-Pointing Actuators for Free-Space Optical Communication |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Review of Mechanical Fine-Pointing Actuators for Free-Space Optical Communication |
| title_short | A Review of Mechanical Fine-Pointing Actuators for Free-Space Optical Communication |
| title_sort | review of mechanical fine pointing actuators for free space optical communication |
| topic | free-space communication optical communication fine steering fast steering mirror fine pointing CubeSat |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/11/1/5 |
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