An Optical NanoSat Detection and Ranging System (SADARS)Maurisa OronaAndrew CouchEd Wilson

Goal of Mission

Create a satellite detection and ranging system (SADARS) for a fleet of nano satellites

Mission Objectives

Create an optical detection and communication system using LED’s and photo detectors

Develop a system of satellite identification and ranging employing video cameras

Nano Satellite Model

Communication and Detection

Serial Communications Send out two bytes First byte corresponds

to identify the satellite Second byte identifies

which side of the satellite is being detected

Detectors PIN Photo Diode

Detectors Video Camera

Computer Resources

Intel NUC D54250WYK

 Intel® Rapid Start Technology 4th generation Intel® Core™ i5-4250U processor Intel® Quick Sync Video for fast video encoding DisplayPort 1.2* for driving 4k displays. Four USB 3.0 ports

Overview of Optical Communications

Optical communications using LED’s and diode lasers are employed in many situations.

Advantages Difficult to intercept optical systems by unauthorized agents Greater amount of information can be communicated that by

traditional radio methods Disadvantages

Difficult to align the transmitters and receivers Fog, rain and aerosols cause degradation of the signal

Optical Communications Between Satellites

Advantages In low earth orbit (LEO) problems with aerosols, rain and fog

are minimal Difficulties

Aligning the beams between moving satellites

Varied Approaches Optical communication could be established using LEDs, diode

lasers or other optical emitters Diode Lasers

Produce more energy than LEDs but the beams are highly collimated and therefore difficult to be detected by the optical receivers

Other Optical Emitters Other optical transmitters can be employed but generally require

higher voltages and currents than LEDs and are still being considered LEDs

Optical output is weaker than that of a diode laser, but they can be purchased to emit over a wider solid angle and are therefore easier to detect

LED Placements under Consideration

Geometric Pattern Hemisphere

Satellite Ranging Study

0 5 10 15 20 25 300

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

Detection Capabilities at Varried Distances

Distance (meters)

Pixe

lsd d

etec

ted

Ranging Data

4 Meters

28 Meters

Acknowledgements

Arkansas Space Grant Consortium RID Dr. Adam Huang, PI, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville Dr. Yupo Chan, University of Arkansas at Little Rock