Liz Hyde San Jose State University Combining Laser Communications and Power Beaming for use on Planetary Probes Liz Hyde San Jose State University

Agenda Introduction Improvements Proving the Technology Conclusions Current issues for Planetary Probes: Communications and Power Solutions: Laser Communications and Power Beaming Improvements Combine two units into one! Proving the Technology CubeSat-based Technology Demonstration Mission Conclusions

Introduction: Current Issues Communications Power Increased data package size requires improvements in data rate Alternative communication methods desired as to not congest RF bands New developments in sensor technology increase the need of high-voltage power Solar power is unreliable at distances >1.5 AU Valuable data can be lost while probes are in eclipse

Solutions

Solution: Power and Comms Waystation

A Solution: Laser Communications Laser Communications can increase data rate 100-1,000x that of traditional RF radios. Technology has been tested in space (LRO, LADEE [2013]) Technology also being used on the ground for military applications (Ship-to-Ship, UAV-to-Ground)

Laser Comms: How it Works 10010 11001 01010 Digital Data Laser Photovoltaic Cells Decoder *Think of Morse Code, transmitted by laser!

A Solution: Laser Power Beaming Wireless power transfer idea has been around since 1950’s Technology also applies to Space-to-Ground and Ground-to-Space applications Space-to-Space demonstration in 2005 (JAXA/ESA)

Laser Power Beaming: How it Works

Bonus Improvement: Integrate Comms and Power Systems Laser Communications and Laser Power have one big thing in common: the Laser! A laser suited for Communications would also be suited for Power Beaming Using one laser for multiple purposes saves on mass and volume.

Technology Demonstration

How To Demonstrate the Technology? CubeSats! CubeSats have been used to for low-cost, fast-schedule technology demonstration missions Using heritage equipment focuses development on payloads

Demo Mission: The Satellites Pitcher Catcher Payload contains the Laser that will transmit both data and electrical power Avionics based off of previously flown designs (TechEdSat) Data is pre-loaded packets consisting of sample images (high-res images, sensor data, etc) Payload consists of a deployable “target” photovoltaic array Included is the data and power decoding unit Avionics based off of previously flown designs (TechEdSat) Data transmitted to the ground using traditional RF means

Demo Mission: The Satellites Pitcher Catcher

Demo Mission: The Satellites Pitcher Catcher

Conclusions

Conclusions Both Laser Communications and Laser Power Beaming provide benefits for space probes An added benefit to these technologies is the ability to have one unit preforming multiple tasks Testing this technology with CubeSats may pave the way to larger usage of the technology

Acknowledgements Dr. Periklis Papadopolus James Grady Marcus Murbach San Jose State University James Grady Global Enterprise Initiative Inc. Marcus Murbach NASA Ames Research Center

Thanks for your interest! Liz.L.Hyde@gmail.com Questions? Thanks for your interest! Liz.L.Hyde@gmail.com

Back-up slides

End to End Efficiancy

Aiming Error Beam Diameter = 1.5m Target Panel Area = 0.3 x 0.3 m

Beam Divergance ϑ = Divergence angle dbeam = Diameter of beam at the target L = Separation distance dbeam ϑ L dbeam=2Ltan(ϑ/2)