Optical wireless links for intra-satellite communications: reflection models and hardware optimization

Abstract

The present work is a study on the propagation channel (physical layer) for wireless infrared communications in intra-satellite environments. Substituting cables and connectors with optical links inside a spaceborn platform offers many advantages and represents some technical challenges. We show analytical calculations, simulations, and experimental results for reflection models for aerospace materials, as well as wavelength division multiple access techniques for channel multiplexing. Improvements in the selection and optimization of emitter-detector pairs are also presented.