Abstract
Single photon per bit optical communication between ground stations and low earth orbit satellites will enable the secure global distribution of cryptographic keys. The communications satellite AO-40 contains an experimental infra-red payload consisting of a low power 835 nm laser diode transmitter coupled to a small fixed orientation telescope transmitting 400 baud Manchester encoded data [1]. The received signal levels are of the order of 10 photons/bit for an effective telescope aperture of diameter 100 mm [2]. They therefore offer a means of validating models of low photon number OOK signal propagation and detection in the presence of atmospheric turbulence, an issue relevant to free-space quantum communications. This paper describes the design, testing and implementation of a photon counting receiver for AO-40 signals using a Labview software platform to display received data, error statistics, detection and correction (using cyclic redundancy check code CRCC 32), and clock synchronization [3]. Signals are acquired with a 300 mm f/6.3 Schmidt-Cassegrain tracking telescope coupled by 100 micron multimode fibre to a silicon APD photon counting module. References 1. R. Purvinskis, Use of the fixed orientation optical transmitter on AO-40, Internal Report, Centre for Advanced Telecommunications and Quantum Electronics, University of Canberra, 2001. 2. A. Arora, Oscar 40: A Complete Link Analysis, University of Canberra BE (Hons) Report, November 2001. 3. A. Arora, Optical Modulator and Demodulator for the Oscar-40 Satellite, University of Canberra BE Project Report , November 2001
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Proceedings of SPIE VOL. 5160, 5161-12A |
Editors | David G Voelz, Jennifer C Ricklin |
Place of Publication | United States |
Publisher | SPIE |
Pages | 311-318 |
Number of pages | 8 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780819450333 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2004 |
Event | SPIE, Quantum Communications and Quantum Imaging - San Diego, California, United States Duration: 6 Aug 2003 → 8 Aug 2003 |
Conference
Conference | SPIE, Quantum Communications and Quantum Imaging |
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Country/Territory | United States |
City | California |
Period | 6/08/03 → 8/08/03 |